The largest active volcano in the world began erupting again last night, spewing ash and debris on Hawaii’s largest island.

Mauna Loa began erupting for the first time in 38 years around 11.30pm on November 27.

The eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the volcano’s summit caldera within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lava flows are not currently threatening residents of Hawaii’s Big Island, but US Geological Survey (USGS) warned that communities could be at risk if the eruption grows outside the crater.

‘Winds may carry volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s hair downwind,’ the USGS stated. ‘Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa eruption can be very dynamic and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.’

The agency issued a ‘red warning’ around 2.40am on Monday morning, noting that lava flows were visible in the night sky from the nearby city of Kona.

The USGS also warned that eruptive vents could possibly form outside the caldera, and asked residents near the mountain to prepare.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed the Mauna Loa summit area to visitors.

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that form Hawaii’s Big Island. It stands well over 13,000 feet above sea level.

Thermal image of Mauna Loa eruption acquired at midnight HST.

Information statement at https://t.co/o5T7dc62Ls. pic.twitter.com/lV1cdOKPqm

Around 11:30 p.m. HST last night, @NOAA’s #GOESWest 🛰️ captured the eruption of Hawaii’s #MaunaLoa volcano, inside @Volcanoes_NPS.

This imagery shows the heat signature and the sulfur dioxide released from the #volcano’s summit caldera, Moku‘āweoweo. pic.twitter.com/gHEG63rbLb

Mauna Loa’s last eruption was in 1984. The eruption spewed a river of hot lava only 4 miles away from Hilo, the largest city on the island.

It has erupted 33 times since record-keeping began in 1943. The 38-year distance since its last eruption is the longest quiet period on record.

Researchers were expecting volcanic activity after a series of earthquakes struck the area earlier this year. Mauna Loa’s summit was closed on October 5 as a precaution.

Its neighboring crater, Kilauea, erupted in 2018, destroying 700 homes in residential neighborhoods in Leilani Estates.

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