This nighttime view from the city of Hilo shows lava flows from Mauna Loa descending its NE flank on 4 April 1984. The flows traveled 42 km from vents on the upper NE rift zone of Mauna Loa, finally stopping only 5 km from the Hilo city limits. The 1984 lava flows were among the longest during historical time from Mauna Loa, matching the length of the 1942 flows. The 1855 and 1881 lava flows traveled significantly further, with the latter reaching within 2 km of Hilo Bay.

Photo by David Little, 1984 (U.S. Geological Survey).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Lava Flows

Keywords: eruption | lava | lava flow | plume | gas | emissions

Mauna Loa