04-22-2009, 07:37 AM
The constant eruption, I think that makes sense it takes pressure off, although they say the two volcanoes have separate magma sources. So far, in recent times, Mauna Loa has erupted once (1984) while Kilauea was erupting, yes?
My DH who is an amateur follower of the geology thinks that the quakes signify magma moving around, but he's not a scientist. However, I don't think volcanic quakes function to take pressure off the same way a faultline shift quake does. Usually eruptions are preceded by swarms of quakes ... often very minor but very frequent.
I seem to remember it was 2003 that there was much speculation about Mauna Loa because of the earthquake swarms plus inflation, but it came to nothing.
My DH who is an amateur follower of the geology thinks that the quakes signify magma moving around, but he's not a scientist. However, I don't think volcanic quakes function to take pressure off the same way a faultline shift quake does. Usually eruptions are preceded by swarms of quakes ... often very minor but very frequent.
I seem to remember it was 2003 that there was much speculation about Mauna Loa because of the earthquake swarms plus inflation, but it came to nothing.