The world's largest active volcano is about to erupt for the first time in over three decades.
There were dozens of earthquakes after the Moku'weoweo summit caldera erupted on Sunday. The Big Island of Hawaii has an ashfall advisory in place.
According to Hawaii's Tourism Agency, there is no risk to people living downhill from the eruption.
The USGS stated that lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. The location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly, and the early stages of an eruption can be very dynamic.
Satellites watch the world's largest active volcano in Hawaii as it erupts.
According to the alert, the HVO is going to perform aerial reconnaissance flights as soon as possible to assess hazards and better describe the eruption, and that winds may carry volcanic gas and possibly fine ash. Volcanic glass formed from cooling lava can be carried aloft by strong winds and are sharp enough to lacerate skin and eyes.
According to the US Geological Survey (opens in new tab), the highest point on Hawaii's Big Island is 13,679 feet above the ocean. Since its first eruption in 1843 the volcano has erupted 33 times. In 1984 it sent a lava flow close to the city of Hawaii. The longest inactive period in recorded history occurred after that.
Since September, warning signs of an eruption have begun to increase. In June and October, there were up to 40 earthquakes a day.
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