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.

Aerial image of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. As of 7:00 a.m. today, December 10, a lava pond replaced the fountains at the fissure 3 vent. USGS image by J. Bard. 

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa that began the evening of November 27, 2022, continues at reduced levels as of December 10, 2022 (thirteenth full day). One active fissure, fissure 3, is feeding a pāhoehoe lava flow that remains confined to the existing lava channel from earlier in the eruption. For this reason, the total area covered by lava is unchanged since yesterday.

Aerial view of the fissure 3 cone on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. On December 10, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted there are no fountains present in fissure 3. Only a lava pond is present with minor circulating activity. Photograph by K. Mulliken.

Aerial view of the fissure 3 cone on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. On December 10, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted there are no fountains present in fissure 3. Only a lava pond is present with minor circulating activity. Photograph by K. Mulliken.

Aerial view of the fissure 3 cone on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. On December 10, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted there are no fountains present in fissure 3. Only a lava pond is present with minor circulating activity. Photograph by K. Mulliken.

Aerial image of fissure 3 erupting on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone the morning of December 10, 2022. The eruption output has greatly decreased over the past two days and within the fissure 3 cone, geologists noted a small lava pond rather than a lava fountain. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

View of fissure 3 the morning of December 10, 2022. As of 7:00 a.m. on December 10, a lava pond replaced the fountains at the fissure 3 vent. The pond fed short lava flows that extended only 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from the vent but are already stagnating. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

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.