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Photo and Video Chronology – Mauna Loa – December 6, 2022

Mauna Loa Eruption Webpage
By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory December 6, 2022

Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone eruption continues. There is a visible gas plume from the erupting fissure fountains and lava flows.

Mauna Loa update: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates

County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency: https://hawaii-county-civil-defense-agency-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/

Most recent eruption map: https://www.usgs.gov/maps/december-5-2022-mauna-loa-eruption-map

Mauna Loa eruption livestream video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnjGqn1K9ZQ

Color photograph of volcanic landscape
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Views and field observations of the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa have been hampered today due to poor visibility. This photo was taken during a brief window of time when the flanks of Mauna Loa were visible from the lava viewing road. The eruption plume is apparent above the summit. A few minutes later, clouds obscured much of the view. USGS image by N. Deligne. 

 

color map of lava flow temperature
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
A helicopter overflight on December 5, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. This map only shows activity from Fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone, which is feeding a lava flow to the north. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
Color maps showing lava flow temperature
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Helicopter overflights on November 30, December 1, December 2, and December 5, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. These maps show evolution of the lava flow from fissure 3 over those days. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
Color photograph of lava crossing road
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
This image, taken midday during a helicopter overflight of Mauna Loa's eruption on December 5, 2022, shows a lava flow branching after it cuts across the Mauna Loa Access Road. The large blocks in channel are called lava boats. These are termed lava balls or lava boats and form when portions of the fissure 3 cone or levees break away and are rafted down stream. As they move along in the channel, additional lava can cool to their surface to form accretionary lava balls. USGS image by L. Gallant. 
Color photograph of volcanic vent
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
This image, taken during an early morning overflight, shows the Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone fissure 3 vent and lava channel. Fountain heights of 130 feet (40 meters), with bursts over 330 feet (100m) were measured by HVO field crews. USGS image by L. Gallant.   
Color photograph of lava channel
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A close up view of the fissure 3 lava channel erupting from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone, as seen by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 5, 2022. The large bumps are standing waves in the lava. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, were measured at 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second). However, farther downslope, the wide lava flow front is advancing slowly at about average rate of about 20 feet per hour (6 meters per hour) over the 24-hour period prior to December 5, 2022.  USGS image by L. Gallant. 
Color photograph of volcanic vent
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Aerial image of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa, at an elevation of approximately 11,500 feet (3,510 m) above sea level. On December 4, 2022, the new cone around fissure 3 was measured at 92-95 feet (28-29 m) tall. USGS image.   The eruption area on Mauna Loa is under a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) up to 1500 feet above ground level, prohibiting access to all aircraft not involved in eruption-response operations. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory—whose mission is to monitor active volcanoes in Hawaii, assess their hazards, issue warnings, and advance scientific understanding to reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions—is authorized to fly both manned and unmanned aircraft within the TFR. No unauthorized aircraft may enter this airspace. Additionally, part of the eruption area is within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is prohibited under 36 CFR Closures & Public Use.
Color photograph of lava channel
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Aerial view of the fissure 3 lava channel, erupting from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on December 4, 2022. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, were measured at 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second) on December 5, 2022. However, farther downslope, the wide lava flow front is advancing slowly at about average rate of about 20 feet per hour (6 meters per hour) over the 24-hour period prior to December 5, 2022.  The eruption area on Mauna Loa is under a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) up to 1500 feet above ground level, prohibiting access to all aircraft not involved in eruption-response operations. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory—whose mission is to monitor active volcanoes in Hawaii, assess their hazards, issue warnings, and advance scientific understanding to reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions—is authorized to fly both manned and unmanned aircraft within the TFR. No unauthorized aircraft may enter this airspace. Additionally, part of the eruption area is within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is prohibited under 36 CFR Closures & Public Use.
Color photograph of volcanic eruption
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
An overflight the morning of November 30, 2022, provided views of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. This aerial photograph shows the volcanic vent erupting high on the rift zone and sending lava flows downslope on the Northeast flank of the volcano. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
An overflight on November 30, 2022, provided aerial views of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. On the ground, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists deploy a new webcam and measure fissure 3. USGS video by K. Mulliken. 
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
A close up view of the fissure 3 lava channel erupting from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone, as seen by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 5, 2022. The large bumps are standing waves in the lava. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, were measured at 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second). However, farther downslope, the wide lava flow front is advancing slowly at about average rate of about 20 feet per hour (6 meters per hour) over the 24-hour period prior to December 5, 2022.  USGS video by L. Gallant. 

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