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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Volcano

Mauna Loa

Mauna Loa is a large active shield volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi in the U.S.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Mauna Loa is a large active shield volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi, part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It is the largest active volcano on Earth by volume and mass.

What it is

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that form Hawaiʻi Island. It is a shield volcano, built by low-viscosity lava flows that create broad, gently sloping sides. Its summit elevation is about 13,677 feet (4,169 metres) above sea level.

Key details

Mauna Loa covers about 51% of Hawaiʻi Island. Its most recent eruption began on November 27, 2022, and ended on December 13, 2022. Though its summit is lower than Mauna Kea’s by about 125 feet (38 m), Mauna Loa is much larger overall.

Why it matters

Mauna Loa is an active volcano closely monitored for eruptions. Its activity can affect Pacific aviation and atmospheric studies, making it relevant to Canadian readers in geology and natural-science reporting.

In short

  • Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth by volume and mass.
  • It last erupted from November 27 to December 13, 2022.
  • It is a shield volcano with broad, gently sloping sides.
  • Its summit is about 13,677 feet (4,169 m) above sea level.
Canadian angle

Mauna Loa is relevant to Canadian readers as a major North Pacific volcano frequently covered in geology, hazard, and natural-science reporting; its eruptions can also affect Pacific aviation and atmospheric studies of interest in Canada.

Quick questions

Where is Mauna Loa located?
Mauna Loa is on the island of Hawaiʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaii, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
When did Mauna Loa last erupt?
Its most recent eruption began on November 27, 2022, and ended on December 13, 2022.
Is Mauna Loa still active?
Yes. Mauna Loa is an active volcano and is regarded as one of the largest active volcanoes on Earth.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauna-Loa
    Supports: Location on Hawaiʻi Island and summit elevation of 13,677 feet (4,169 metres).
  2. U.S. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/mauna-loa.htm
    Supports: Mauna Loa as the largest active volcano on the planet, shield-volcano nature, elevation, and park location.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Loa
    Supports: Five-volcano composition of Hawaiʻi Island, active status, and most recent eruption dates in 2022.
  4. Apple Maps — https://maps.apple.com/place?place-id=I76B555B5F19B491B
    Supports: Volcano described as one of five volcanoes forming Hawaiʻi Island and larger-volume comparison with Mauna Kea.