The largest volcano on Earth is about to erupt for the first time in a long time.
It was the first eruption on the Big Island since 1984. Although most of the island's astronomy is on the summit of Maunakea, a few space-related facilities could be at risk.
Near-Earth asteroids are identified by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System. The project operates four different observatories, one of which is atop Mauna Loa, and the network as a whole has identified over 100 new asteroids so far this year.
John Tonry, an astronomer at the University of Hawai'i, told Space.com that the lava is confined to the caldera. We don't know. We are in shutdown state because of the ash.
Satellites watch the world's largest active volcano eruption.
He noted that the lava was south of and above the observatory. Tonry wrote that personnel are considering removing more valuable assets from the site but haven't decided if it's necessary.
The lava is confined to the volcano's caldera and a few fissures in the northeast rift zone. The time is 8:20 a.m. The situation seems to be contained. "Lava flows are not threatening any downslope communities, and all indications are that the eruption will remain in the Northeast Rift Zone," the USGS said.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research's High Altitude Observatory is connected to the second observatory hosted by Mauna loa. The main focus of this facility is atmospheric research, but also includes a solar observatory.
Holly Gilbert, a solar scientist and director of the High Altitude Observatory, told Space.com that they wouldn't be going up there today. There is a chance that lava could erupt on the summit for weeks.
The HI-SEAS facility is located on the mountain and is used for different types of space research. Six people can be accommodated in a dome-like habitat at HI-SEAS. HI-SEAS is meant to be used for future exploration on the moon and Mars, so the facility is built on a recent lava flow.
Michaela Musilova, the former director of HI-SEAS, told Space.com that the research station should be unaffected by the eruption. No one is in danger because there are no organized missions taking place there at the moment.
According to observations gathered by the Global Volcanism Program of the US Geological Survey, there has been a lot of activity on the island. There were at least two small earthquakes around the volcano in July and August.
The eruption is being monitored by the US Geological Survey. Satellites can observe the volcano and its gases.
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