December 10, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel

Just days, ago, lava was full in the channels from the fissure 3 eruption on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Over the past two days, the eruption output has greatly reduced. A pond of lava in the fissure 3 cone feeds short lava flows that extended only 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from the vent. The channels below this point appear drained of lava and no longer feed the main flow front.  USGS image by K. Mulliken.