Hawaii: World's Biggest Active Volcano, Mauna Loa, Erupts

The world's biggest active volcano erupted, showering the sky of Hawaii with smoke and a brilliant red glow.

As of Sunday night, about 11:30 p.m. local time, Mauna Loa, Hawaii's word for "long mountain," exploded. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that it has been acting strangely since September.

According to NPR, the federal agency has issued a "warning," which signifies that "hazardous eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected" from the volcano.

As of Monday morning, no one has asked to be evacuated. Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said that no villages located lower on the mountain appear to be in danger from the eruption.

As a safety measure, however, the government of Hawaii established evacuation centers at the Old Kona Airport in Kailua-Kona and the Ka'u gym in Pahala.

There Are Significant Changes in Big Island Since Mauna Loa Erupted Decades Ago

Many people were not living on the Big Island during the Mauna Loa eruption 38 years ago.

The U.S.G.S. warned the island's roughly 200,000 residents that an eruption "can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly."

Volcano Village resident and lifelong Big Islander Bobby Camara have urged widespread vigilance in the face of the eruption, saying that everyone "should be a little bit concerned."

He said they have no idea where the lava will flow or how long it will continue.

He claimed to have lived through three eruptions of Mauna Loa, and thus, people should be quick.

Ken Hon, the head scientist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said the eruption occurred late Sunday night after several massive earthquakes.

Phys.org noted that since 1980 when just 92,000 people were living on the Big Island, that number had increased dramatically.

Hilo, the island's capital, is home to over 45,000 people, whereas Kailua-Kona, located east of the volcano, is home to roughly 23,000 people.

Concerns were focused on a cluster of settlements home to about 5,000 people located 30 kilometers to the volcano's south.

The U.S.G.S. reports that the eruption has spread to a rift zone on the volcano's northeast side.

The mountain rock in rift zones is fractured and relatively weak, making magma eruptions more likely.

An eruption in the northeast might send lava flowing toward Hilo, the county capital, and other cities in East Hawaii. However, the lava could take weeks or months to reach populated areas.

In the future, the eruption could take place along a rift zone on the southwest flank. The exploding lava could threaten the nearby communities within a couple of hours or days.

Maun Loa's Eruption Will Not Affect Tourism in Hawaii, Says County Mayor

The world's biggest active volcano eruption has prompted some curious visitors to wonder if they should still plan a trip to Hawaii.

If you plan a trip to Hawaii, the Hawaiian Tourism Authority says there is no need to change your plans.

At 11:30 p.m. local time, the volcano in Moku'weoweo Caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park began erupting. Despite the lava's movement from the summit to the northeast flank early on Monday morning, there is no imminent threat to settlements.

"It will be spectacular where it is," said Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth.

Roth said there is a slim chance that the eruption will affect the tourism industry. However, this could disrupt the travel plans of some.

In an interview with USA Today, a representative for Southwest Airlines said that the airline had suspended all operations in Hilo on Monday, which would affect nine interisland flights between Hilo and Honolulu.

Any passengers flying on Southwest Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, the two leading carriers to the islands, are eligible for a travel waiver.

Most of Hawaii Island's attractions are open for business, except for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Those planning to visit or live on Hawaii Island should regularly check the USGS webpage for updates.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Mauna Loa volcano roars back to life - From ABC News