Mauna Loa, the world’s biggest active volcano, has erupted. This giant shield volcano is located in Hawaii.

It’s one of six volcanoes that make up the Big Island. Mauna Loa covers 5179 square kilometres, about half of the Big Island.

Burning a hole

These volcanoes grew from hot molten rock that leaks through an opening in the ocean floor. When the magma hits the seawater, it cools and hardens. Then it leaks through again. With every eruption, the volcanoes get bigger and bigger.