Kilauea, a smaller and younger volcano on the southeast side of Mauna Loa, has been erupting lava from 1983 to the present.Its output of lava has averaged about 400,000 cubic metres (14 million cubic feet) per day, in sharp contrast to the 12 million cubic metres (424 million cubic feet) per day during the first week of the 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa. So, all we know about Mauna Kea is that it erupted at least 7 separate times between about 6,000 and 4,000 years ago The eruption then shifted to the opposite side of the caldera. Recent Lava Flows. The magma seen at the Mauna Loa Volcano comes directly from the Hawaii hotspot.
Most Recent Eruption(s) At least 7 separate vents, erupted between about 6,000 and 4,000 years ago. In its current cycle, Kilauea has erupted at least 60 recorded times, and has been continually erupting since 1983. Number of Historical Eruptions. The volcano is currently being monitored at all times for any unrest that it may show. none. While at nearby Mauna Loa eruptions tend to occur in pairs (i.e., a summit eruption followed by one on the flank), Kilauea's pattern of summit versus flank activity appear to be more random. It started in the southwest corner of the volcano's Moku'aweoweo summit crater. Scientists also believe that the Mauna Loa Volcano has been erupting for 700,000 years at least with its emerging above the sea level taking place close to 400,000 years ago. Many people are under the mistaken impression that the volcano is a part of another larger volcano, Mauna Loa, but geologists posit it is a volcano of its own, which has its own conduit system and vent.
There has also been frequent activity along the Southeast rift zone (such as the presently active Pu'u 'O'o eruption, which started in 1983). Inside of three hours, 80% of the crater was covered with lava, but it never breached the rim. The Eruption. From the time of its first documented eruption in 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times. The 1984 Mauna Loa three-week-long eruption began at about 1:30 a.m. on March 25. Mauna Kea is presently a dormant volcano, having last erupted about 4,500 years ago. – Over the past 3,000 years, Mauna Loa has erupted once every six years and evidence of four explosive events have been found.