The world’s largest volcano Mauna Loa in Hawaii has erupted

The largest active volcano in the world erupted Monday in German time. The spill began just before 11:30 p.m. local time, according to reports from the US Geological Society. Webcam images and thermal images show that the lava flows out of the volcano over a large area.

After corresponding earthquakes, which had given clear indications of magma movements just below the surface, the alarm level had been raised weeks ago. The red warning level is now activated. So far, the eruption has been confined to the summit, with lava accumulating in the summit caldera. As long as it does not flood, there is initially no danger to settlements. The direction in which very thin lava can flow as it tumbles down steep slopes can change very quickly, according to current advice. Events must now be followed closely from the air.

Mauna Loa rises 4170 meters high but drops another 5000 meters into the sea to its base and is not the highest, but it is the largest volcano on Earth. During the last eruption in 1984, much of the caldera was covered with lava after only a few hours. Lava flows threatened the city of Hilo, but then sought other roads on the outskirts of the city. The eruption lasted from March 24 to April 15.