Mauna Loa in Hawaii Quiet but Slowly Recharging After 2022 Eruption USGS Says Magma Refilling While Alert Level Remains NORMAL
HAWAII — Even in its quietest moments, Mauna Loa continues to send subtle signals beneath the surface. New monitoring data shows magma gradually refilling beneath the volcano’s summit following its 2022 eruption — but officials emphasize that activity remains low and the Volcano Alert Level stays at NORMAL.
Scientists tracking Mauna Loa through GPS and ground-tilt instruments report steady summit inflation, a sign that magma is accumulating underground. At the same time, earthquake activity remains very low.
What the Data Shows
Recent charts comparing the 2022 eruption with earlier events in 1984 and 1975 reveal a familiar pattern:
- A sharp drop in ground deformation at eruption onset
- Followed by gradual, long-term inflation
- Minimal sustained earthquake swarms after the eruption
The blue deformation line on the chart shows the summit area slowly expanding again after the 2022 event. Meanwhile, green bars representing earthquake counts remain modest compared to pre-eruption spikes seen in earlier decades.
This behavior mirrors what happened after the 1975 and 1984 eruptions, when Mauna Loa slowly recharged over time.
Why Magma Refilling Matters
When magma accumulates beneath a volcano’s summit:
- The ground subtly expands
- GPS instruments detect outward movement
- Tiltmeters record minute changes in slope
However, inflation alone does not mean an eruption is imminent. Volcanoes can refill quietly for years before any significant unrest develops.
Earthquake Activity Remains Low
Unlike the elevated seismic activity typically seen before eruptions, current earthquake counts are described as very low. The combination of low seismicity and steady inflation suggests:
- Normal post-eruption recharging
- No immediate signs of escalation
- Continued long-term monitoring required
Alert Level Remains NORMAL
The official Volcano Alert Level for Mauna Loa remains NORMAL, indicating:
- Background activity
- No immediate eruption threat
- Standard monitoring operations ongoing
Scientists say continued tracking of deformation and seismic signals will help determine how future unrest might unfold.
What This Means for the Public
For residents and visitors to Hawaii:
- No restrictions are in place
- No evacuation advisories have been issued
- Monitoring remains continuous
Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, has a long history of eruptive cycles followed by quiet recharge periods. Current data suggests it is in that recharge phase now.
The Bottom Line
Mauna Loa is slowly refilling with magma beneath its summit following the 2022 eruption, echoing patterns seen after the 1975 and 1984 events. Earthquake activity remains low, and the Volcano Alert Level is NORMAL.
WaldronNews.com will continue following updates from volcanic monitoring agencies and provide developments if conditions change.