Week 4 Volcanos ft Mauna Loa

During this week's class, I travel to Hawaii to take a closer look at Mauna Loa. After some research, I discovered that Mauna Loa translates to "Long Mountain". This translation makes sense after finding some images like you see below. Mauna Loa is the world's largest active volcano reaching about 13,000 feet above sea level. This particular volcano is enormous as it covers nearly half of the Island of Hawaii. It is even larger than Mt. Everest measuring 60 miles long and 30 miles wide.  Mauna Loa's last eruption was in 1984 leading it to erupt 39 times since 1843.

Mauna Loa is, in fact, a shield volcano that gives it the domed structure caused by a large number of very fluid basalt lava flows. The likelihood of Mauna Loa erupting again is extremely high and is being carefully measured for any signs that it may erupt. If it were to erupt today it would be extremely disastrous. Based on recent reports, the lava could block roads and send ashes to Kona International Airport essentially no one would be able to leave and all goods wouldn't be able to leave or enter the area. Scientists believe that an earthquake would have occurred 10 years ago due to the pulsing of new lava however, the mountain shifted creating more space of the lava. With this, scientists will be able to tell when the next eruption is likely to occur to the number of earthquakes it produces.

Program, V. H. (n.d.). Volcano Hazards Program HVO Mauna Loa. Retrieved from https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/.

Tucker, K. (2014, May 6). Special Report: What Could Happen When Mauna Loa Erupts. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/25436178/special-report-what-could-happen-when-mauna-loa-erupts/.

Program, V. H. (n.d.). Volcano Hazards Program HVO Mauna Loa. Retrieved from https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/.

Tucker, K. (2014, May 6). Special Report: What Could Happen When Mauna Loa Erupts. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/25436178/special-report-what-could-happen-when-mauna-loa-erupts/.

Program, V. H. (n.d.). Volcano Hazards Program HVO Mauna Loa. Retrieved from https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/.

Tucker, K. (2014, May 6). Special Report: What Could Happen When Mauna Loa Erupts. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/25436178/special-report-what-could-happen-when-mauna-loa-erupts/.

Program, V. H. (n.d.). Volcano Hazards Program HVO Mauna Loa. Retrieved from https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/.

Tucker, K. (2014, May 6). Special Report: What Could Happen When Mauna Loa Erupts. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/25436178/special-report-what-could-happen-when-mauna-loa-