For the first time in 40 years, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano is erupting. Leading up to the eruption, this volcano is covering Hawaii’s Big Island with ash and smog. Mauna Loa is the world’s largest active volcano, and is widely considered the largest volcano in general. Until now, its last eruption was on April 15, 1984. They are claiming now that the Lava flow from Mauna Loa is slowly coming to a halt, but the lava isn’t the only hazardous thing from this volcano that could cause danger or harm.

Hawaii’s Big Island is being greatly affected by the things this volcano is emitting; including smog, ash, and acidic gasses. Also, while the people are safe from the lava, the highways might not be. Officials are concerned that lava could reach or hit the highways, causing immense damage to them and being extremely costly to repair. The state transportation department has made preparations to shut down the highway if the lava gets close enough to be a danger to drivers or the road. There are now also eruptions from two other volcanoes threatening the islands as well. 

Mauna Loa is an extremely active volcano, but after being asleep for 40 years, people in Hawaii weren’t able to prepare for all the stuff it has caused. Its lava is cutting off and destroying their main roads, and cutting off the power to important places in Hawaii; for example, the Mauna Loa Observatory. If lava continues to burst out of the volcano, it could have damages equivalent to its past eruptions. Which would include damaging buildings, burying highways, throwing off the lives of all Hawaiian citizens, and affecting the tourism industry.