Volcano · United States (Hawaii)
Mauna Loa
The largest active volcano on Earth by volume.
Status right now
No current reports
Mauna Loa is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report, the USGS list of volcanoes on alert or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 4 Nov 2026, 22:39 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- United States (Hawaii)
- Region
- North America
- Type
- Shield
- Summit
- 4,169 m (13,678 ft)
- Coordinates
- 19.475° N, 155.608° W
- Smithsonian number
- 332020
- USGS page
- usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa
What kind of volcano is it?
Mauna Loa is a shield. A shield volcano is broad and gently sloping, built from runny basalt lava that flows a long way before it cools. Eruptions are usually effusive: lava fountains and flows rather than large explosions.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sept 1919 | 0 | – | tsunami |
| 14 Feb 1877 | 0 | – | tsunami, earthquake |
| 3 Apr 1868 | 2 | 77 | tsunami, earthquake |
3 significant eruptions near Mauna Loa in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- KīlaueaUnited States (Hawaii) · 34 km
- ClevelandUnited States (Alaska) · 3,909 km
- ShishaldinUnited States (Alaska) · 3,986 km
- PavlofUnited States (Alaska) · 4,031 km
- Great SitkinUnited States (Alaska) · 4,039 km
- Mount St. HelensUnited States · 4,254 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.