Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, began erupting Sunday for the first time since 1984, ending its longest dormant period on record.
The night sky over Hawaii’s largest island glowed a hellish red as bright, hot lava erupted from the volcano’s summit around 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday (09:30 GMT Monday).
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the lava is at the top and does not yet pose a threat to Hawaiians living below.
The service warned residents Monday that volcanic gases and fine ash could be drifting.
Mauna Loa rises 13,679 feet (4,169 meters) above the Pacific Ocean, part of the chain of volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian Islands. It last erupted in March and April 1984, sending a lava flow within 5 miles (8.05 km) of Hilo, the island’s largest city.
