HONOLULU: Officials in Hawaii are warning residents of the Big Island that Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano in the world, could erupt at any moment.
Scientists say an eruption isn't imminent, but they are on alert because of a recent spike in earthquakes at the volcano's summit. Experts say it would take just a few hours for lava to reach homes closest to vents on the volcano, which last erupted in 1984.
Hawaii's Civil Defense Agency held meetings across the island to educate residents on how to prepare for a possible emergency.
She recommends carrying a "go" bag with food, identifying a place to stay once they leave home, and making a plan for reuniting with family members.
“Not to freak everyone out, but they should know you live on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Any type of lava disaster is possible," said Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno.
The volcano makes up 51% of Hawaii Island's land area, so a large portion of the island could be affected by an eruption, Magno said.
While there has been a boom in development on the Big Island in recent decades — the population has doubled from 92,000 in 1980 to 200,000 today — many of the new residents weren't there when Mauna Loa erupted 38 years ago.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, said Mauna Loa has been in a state of "heightened unrest" since the middle of last month when the number of summit earthquakes jumped from 10 to 20 per day to 40 to 50 per day.
Scientists believe more earthquakes are occurring because more magma is flowing into Mauna Loa's summit reservoir system from the hot spot under the earth's surface that feeds molten rock to Hawaii's volcanoes.
The temblors have declined in frequency in recent days but could rise again.
Bob Werner, an Ocean View resident who did not attend the meeting, said it's wise to be aware of a possible eruption but not to fear it. He's not concerned that the neighbourhood would be completely cut off if lava flows across the only road connecting it to the bigger towns of Kailua-Kona and Hilo, where many people do their shopping.
Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since 1843. The last eruption was in 1984 when lava flowed 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east of Hilo, the Big Island's most populous town.
Mauna Loa has a history of erupting large volumes of lava.