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Dramatic video released by the USGS shows the volcano dispelling a nearly six-story wall of exploding lava.

This video from today's morning overflight shows fissure 3, the dominant source of activity. Lava fountains are 20-25 meters in height (65-82 feet) and feed a lava flow moving to the northeast at ~130 meters per hour (0.08 miles per hour). #MaunaLoa https://t.co/dxPN2r2gaH pic.twitter.com/ZkIXuDAwRu

— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) November 30, 2022

Ash and lava began spewing out of the volcano on Sunday around 11:30 p.m. and has continued into Wednesday.

This is the first time Mauna Loa has erupted in nearly 40 years. The last time it erupted was in March and April 1984. The volcano is so large it takes up more than half of the Big Island

Geologists do not expect any activity outside of the northeast rift zone, and there are still no threats to populated areas, as there are no homes downslope from the northeast rift zone, according to the USGS.

\"PHOTO:
Marco Garcia/AP
PHOTO: In this long camera exposure, cars drive down Saddle Road as Mauna Loa erupts in the distance, Nov. 28, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii.
>
\"PHOTO:
Gregory Bull/AP
PHOTO: Brian Lichtenstein, takes a photo in front of lava erupting from Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano, Nov. 30, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii.
>

Since the eruption is occurring to the northeast, where the peak's slope seaward is more gentle, it would take weeks of a continuous eruption for it to reach Hilo, Michael Poland, research geophysicist for the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, told ABC News earlier this week.

However, officials have advised residents at possible risk from Mauna Loa lava flows to review preparedness and refer to Hawaii County Civil Defense information for further guidance.

ABC News' Jennifer Watts contributed to this report.

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