ollowed by flank eruptions. The lava flows from Mauna Loa are frequent and high-volume. The long lengths of these flows and the fluidity results in the high velocities of the lava flow on steep slopes. This makes Mauna Loa much more potentially dangerous than other volcanoes. Below is a picture of the 1984 eruption in the northeast rift zone. Construction of new homes near any active volcano is dangerous and is a major risk to those living there. The lava from the volcano can flow rapidly down the slope and destroy anything in its path; this includes any housing or buildings. With that said, $2.3 billion dollars since 1984 have been invested in building new homes on the slopes of Mauna Loa. There are about 75,000 people living near Mauna Loa, but the tourist industry has prompt the major investments in construction of housing and other tourist attractions. The major city of Hilo has been an example of the potential risk that living near a volcano can produce pose. During an eruption in 1984 lava flowed within 4 miles of the city. Precautions have been made to reduce these risks. Ultra sensitive strainmeters and seismometers have been placed in three sites on Mauna Loa. This helps geologists in detecting any volcanic activities early and help in predicting any future eruptions. This allows the people living near Mauna Loa to have warnings regarding any possible eruptions. There are many things that can be done to reduce or eliminate the risks created by volcanoes. The obvious solution would be to not construct any housing on or near the slopes of Mauna Loa. This would eliminate all threats, but it would also be unlikely. The instruments and equipment that have been installed is an effective way of detecting eruptions and providing possible warnings of those living near the volcano. On the other hand, these are not 100% accurate and the damage would be inevitable. People living near Mauna Loa and any other volcano should be aw...
