Thursday, October 27, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Release No. 2022-043<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HONOLULU<\/strong> \u2014 Mauna Loa\u2019s continuing seismic activity is causing concern for some residents on Hawai\u2018i island, but there are no signs an eruption is imminent. Hawai\u2018i County emergency managers and experts on volcano geology will hold the latest in a series of briefings to update the public on the situation this evening in P\u0101hala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency (HCDA) and the Hawai\u2018i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) have increased monitoring of the volcano. The United States Geologic Survey\u2019s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has been issuing daily reports on Mauna Loa\u2019s activity since September but has indicated its scientists have seen no indications of an immediate threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMauna Loa continues to be in a state of heightened unrest,\u201d said Ken Hon, chief scientist at HVO, in the observatory\u2019s most recent report on the active volcano. However, Hon noted, \u201cthe current increase in activity does not suggest that a progression to an eruption is certain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n HCDA has been posting daily snapshots via social media of Mauna Loa\u2019s activity, based on data from HVO, including the current alert level, status, and a recap of activity over the previous 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnder current conditions an eruption from Mauna Loa is not imminent,\u201d said Talmadge Magno, Hawai\u2018i County civil defense administrator. \u201cWe\u2019re reminding people to take this opportunity to register for county emergency alert messages and prepare or review their plans to be ready for any disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n HI-EMA\u2019s website includes links to sign up for emergency alerts<\/a> in any Hawai\u2018i county<\/p>\n\n\n\n Magno and Hon met with Hawai\u2018i island residents on Saturday at the Ocean View community center to discuss the latest readings and preparedness measures. They noted that because Mauna Loa covers 51% of the island\u2019s area, it\u2019s hard to predict which areas might be affected if an eruption occurs. If lava were to break out of the summit area, Magno said, the County would provide specific information about any necessary safety or evacuation measures, including details about routes and shelters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another informational session with the local officials is scheduled for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. tonight at Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium, at 96-1219 Kamani St. in P\u0101hala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHI-EMA continues to support our partners on Hawai\u2018i island with outreach and planning assistance as Mauna Loa\u2019s activity evolves,\u201d said agency Administrator Luke Meyers. \u201cWe encourage residents who are concerned about the seismic activity beneath the mountain to explore the ways they can improve their preparedness, including updating their emergency plans, reviewing their evacuation routes near where they live, work, and play, and checking the batteries in their emergency supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For resources and more information about earthquake and volcanic preparedness see these pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/hawaii-county-volcano-hazards-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n