Mauna Loa, one of the largest volcanoes on earth, has begun to erupt for the first time in almost 40 years along with the volcano Kilauea. The two volcanoes have not erupted together since 1984.

   Mauna Loa began to erupt Sunday evening when around 150 feet of lava flowed out from the volcano, according to CNN. The eruption is concentrated in the Northeast Rift Zone and lava came from at least one split in the volcano. According to USA Today, the lava flowed less than one mile per hour, but has traveled towards an important Hawaiian highway that connects the east side of the island to the west side. Mauna Loa’s eruptions typically last for around two weeks, and the current eruption is estimated to last around that time. 

   Kilauea, a volcano around 21 miles away from Mauna Lau, began an eruption in 2021 that is still in progress. In 2018, the active volcano caused damage to the neighborhood of Leilani Estates and destroyed more than 700 homes in its path of destruction, according to CNN. 

   Mauna Loa is the world’s largest active volcano and this is the first time Mauna Loa has erupted since 1984. The volcano’s name means “long mountain” in Hawaiian, according to The Washington Post. 

   While the volcanic eruption is not a current threat to residents’ homes, it has left hazardous traces of sulfur dioxide and ashes in the air.  It is advised that elders, children, and those with respiratory illness reduce their amount of time outside, according to the Hawaiian Health Department. Visitors are still encouraged to come to the island.

   “It is completely safe. The eruption site is high up the mountain, and it’s in a relatively isolated location,” Governor David Ige said, according to CNN.

   The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park plans to remain open but encourages visitors to be cautious and check the website for closures of the park.