Mauna Loa eruption - latest: Satellite captures view of advancing lava from space as crowds flock to volcano
Follow for the latest updates on Mauna Loa’s first eruption in 38 years
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Your support makes all the difference.A satellite has captured stunning images of the Mauna Loa eruption from space, as crowds flock to the Hawaii volcano to watch the rare event.
The photos, taken when the eruption began on 28 November, were released after the US Geological Survey warned there was a “high probability” a stream of molten lava would reach a main highway on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Officials are preparing for the possibility that the Daniel K Inouye Highway, which connects the communities of Hilo and Kona, could be shut down within the week despite the flow slowing its advance.
“It’ll probably come around the north side of Pu’u Huluhulu, which is right at the Mauna Kea turnoff on Saddle Road,” said Ken Hon, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge, at a news conference Wednesday.
The lava flow was previously moving at a rate of 130 meters an hour, but as of Thursday night, Mr Hon confirmed that it had slowed to just 30 yards per hour as the lava hit flat terrain.
Satellite photos capture Mauna Loa eruption from space
Stunning satellite images of the Mauna Loa eruption - the volcano’s first in nearly four decades - have been captured by Maxar Technologies.
The photos, taken just after the eruption began on Hawaii’s Big Island on Monday, show molten red lava flowing from the volcano’s caldera.
The European Space Agency also released its own captivating image of the eruption, showing lava at the centre and smoke rising from the peak.
The US Geological Survey issued a brief update on Friday morning, saying that the eruption is ongoing at the Northeast Rift Zone.
A more comprehensive update is expected later in the day.
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