What will you do when Earth’s largest active volcano erupts?

In 2019, the Volcano Alert Level for Mauna Loa was elevated from “NORMAL” to “ADVISORY” due to increased seismicity and deformation at the volcano. This alert level does not mean an eruption is imminent, but it is a fact that Mauna Loa, which has erupted 33 times since 1843 (most recently in 1984), will erupt again. What will you do when it does? USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Frank Trusdell spoke about Earth’s largest active volcano in this Volcano Awareness Month program presented at Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park on January 29, 2020. He talks about the current status of Mauna Loa, as well as potential volcanic hazards based on past eruptions, and describes how HVO is preparing for the next eruption of Earth’s largest active volcano.