Triggering the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa

Area of Science:

• Volcanology
• Geochemistry
• Geophysics

Background:

• Distinguishing volcanic unrest from eruption run-up is a global challenge.
• Mauna Loa's 2022 eruption followed 38 years of repose and intermittent activity.
• Mineral chemistry and multidisciplinary monitoring data are key to eruption forecasting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate unrest from eruption run-up using Mauna Loa's recent eruption as a case study.
• To improve forecasting models for volcanic eruptions.
• To present a new model of Mauna Loa's plumbing system.

Main Methods:

• Integrated mineral and melt chemistry, fluid inclusion barometry, and numerical modeling.
• Analyzed syn-eruptive gas plume measurements, earthquake hypocenter distribution, and seismic velocity changes.
• Incorporated ground deformation data and multidisciplinary monitoring synthesis.

Main Results:

• Identified a 2-month sustained magma intrusion period preceding the eruption.
• Magma intruded from 3-5 km depths to 1-2 km beneath the summit caldera.
• Developed a new model for Mauna Loa's volcanic plumbing system.

Conclusions:

• Correlating geochemical and instrumental monitoring data enhances understanding of magmatic systems.
• This integrated approach improves the ability to distinguish volcanic unrest from eruption run-up.
• The methodology can be applied to improve forecasting at other volcanic systems globally.