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December 7, 2022

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

Color photograph of volcanic vent
A morning overflight on December 7, 2022, provided aerial views of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. USGS image by M. Patrick. 
Color photograph of volcanic vent
A morning overflight on December 7, 2022, provided aerial views of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. USGS image by M. Patrick. 
Color photograph of lava flow
The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa continues the morning of December 7, 2022. This image, taken during a morning overflight, shows an overflow from the main channel several kilometers upslope from the lava flow front. USGS image by F. Trusdell. 
Video of the fissure 3 lava channel near the vent, high on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Near the vent, the lava flow velocity has been measured at 32-39 feet per second (10-12 meters per second) within the lava channel. USGS video by M. Patrick. 
Color photograph of volcanic plume
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have been working to understand what volcanic gases are being emitted by the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates of approximately 120,000 tonnes per day (t/d) were measured on December 4, 2022, and remain elevated at this time. The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network has detailed information about vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/. Forecasts for the dispersion of vog can be found on the Mauna Loa Vog Forecasting Dashboard: https://vog.ivhhn.org/content/mauna-loa-eruption. USGS image by P. Nadeau. 
Color photograph of lava flow
Aerial view of a lava flow from the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa taken the morning of December 7, 2022. A significant breakout removing lava from the channel about 2.8 mi (4.5 km) behind the tip of the main flow on the east side was observed this morning. During the past 24 hours, the main flow has advanced at an average rate slower than 20 feet (6 meters) per hour. USGS image by M. Patrick. 
Color photograph of lava channel
A view of the lava channel erupting from fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Near the vent, the lava channel moves at around 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second). Farther downslope, the wide lava flow front is advancing more slowly, at an average rate slower than 20 feet (6 meters) per hour. USGS image by M. Patrick. 
Color photograph of lava channel
Telephoto view of the fissure 3 lava channel on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone, as seen by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 7, 2022. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, have been measured at around 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second). USGS image by M. Patrick.

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