Mauna Loa Eruption Forecasting Advances with New Magma Reservoir Discovery

Scientists can now potentially forecast Mauna Loa eruptions months in advance, thanks to new insights into magma movement beneath the volcano.

Recent studies have identified a previously unknown magma reservoir within Mauna Loa, offering new possibilities for eruption forecasting.
Analysis of lava from the 2022 eruption revealed that magma began moving significantly about 70 days before the eruption.
Geologists detected early warning signs such as small earthquakes and ground deformation months before the 2022 eruption.
These findings align with observed timelines of volcanic activity, enhancing the accuracy of future eruption forecasts.
Experts compare volcanic forecasts to weather forecasts, using past data to predict the likelihood of future eruptions.