Deadly Volcanic Gas From Mauna Loa Sparks Stunning Sunrise

Mauna Loa has erupted, sending plumes of volcanic gases into the atmosphere and fingers of molten lava creeping down the mountain.

Some area residents are self-evacuating while others are enjoying the breathtaking views that come with the volcano's eruption.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that Mauna Loa, the world's largest volcano, erupted on Hawaii's Big Island Sunday night. By Monday morning, people residing around the volcano were commenting on the mountain's backdrop of a stunning sunrise accentuated with colors of blue, purple, orange and red.

"Mauna Loa erupting at sunrise is literally the most amazing thing I've ever seen," one person tweeted Monday morning with several photos showing a Hawaiian resort with a stunning sunrise and the erupting volcano in the background.

In a follow-up tweet, the user said he was in Hilton Waikoloa Village, which is roughly 60 miles northwest of the volcano.

There's a scientific reason behind the beautiful colors, one that's caused by deadly gases.

U.S. Geological Survey volcanologist Jessica Ball told Newsweek the breathtaking sunrise is the result of volcanic gases rising into the atmosphere.

As volcanic ash or volcanic gas rises into the atmosphere, the gas forms tiny aerosol droplets of liquid that scatter and reflect light.

"This is what causes the really beautiful colors," Ball told Newsweek.

Ball said there isn't data on how much gas is coming from Mauna Loa yet, but from pictures of the sunrises she saw this morning, she expects there to be a "significant amount" of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide coming from the volcano and causing refractions of light.

Although the gases paint a beautiful picture, they can be deadly in high concentrations.

Ball said carbon dioxide suffocates a person if a cloud of it accumulates in a low spot. Sulfur dioxide is commonly known to be an irritant, but if the plume is concentrated enough, it can also be deadly.

The gases would likely cause magnificent sunsets or sunrises for people downwind of the volcano. Generally, Ball said trade winds blow from west to east in Hawaii so people northeast of the eruption could have the best views.

Sometimes, volcanic gas can affect weather by cooling temperatures, as the sulfur dioxide can combine with water and block sunlight from reaching Earth, according to a USGS report.

It is unknown how long the weather effects could last from the eruption, but Ball said as long as lava continues to be supplied to the surface, gas will come up as well. The bigger the eruption, the higher the gases are likely to rise.

Regardless of how long the phenomenon lasts, Ball said the sunrises and sunsets will likely be localized.

For someone who is feeling concerned about inhaling the gases, Ball advises them to act the same way they would if there was bad air quality. She advised closing doors and windows, wearing a properly fitted N-95 mask and wearing goggles if eye irritation is occurring.