Federal officials have raised the alert level for the world’s largest active volcano at Hawaii’s Mauna Loa. This volcano has erupted 33 times since 1843.

The U.S. Geological Survey changed the level from “normal” to “advisory” following a steady increase in earthquakes and ground swelling.

Mauna Loa currently is experiencing 50 to 75 earthquakes a week, a steady increase since March when there was a pronounced change. And the bulging of the ground, known as deformation, indicates magma is entering the volcano’s plumbing system.

Scientists say they don’t think an eruption is imminent, but are closely monitoring Mauna Loa because of its reputation for “evolving very quickly” and sending lava far and wide.

USGS research geophysicist Ingrid Johanson told the Associated Press that “Lava can go from the rift down to the ocean on the west side of Mauna Loa on the order of a couple hours.” And Johanson said, “The rate of the eruption is just really fast.”

Its lava flows have stretched to the south and west coasts eight times and neared Hilo, on the east side, seven times. During its last eruption, lava flows came within 4.5 miles of Hilo, the Big Island’s largest city.

Mauna Loa’s smaller neighbor to the south, Kilauea, has long been the world’s most active volcano.

It made headlines last year as molten rock exploded from its flank in one of its largest eruptions in recorded history. More than 700 Big Island homes were destroyed and thousands of people were displaced.

USGS volcanologist and geologist Frank Trusdell said there is historical evidence of a “general correlation” between the two volcanoes.

“If you look at the long-term eruptive history of both volcanoes, when one volcano in the past was active, it seems like the other volcano was quiet,” Trusdell said.

But there have been times that both volcanoes have erupted simultaneously, and there are other factors at play, Trusdell said. At the beginning of the 2018 Kilauea eruption, a large earthquake struck the Big Island and destabilized the entire region.

Trusdell also said that Mauna Loa could be “reawakening.” But it’s too early to be certain, he warned.

The Biblical prophecies (Matthew 24, Revelation 6) foretell that severe seismic activity as earthquakes and volcanoes will increase signaling the coming end of the age.

These are signs of the Last Days revealing its time to prepare for the nearing appearance of Jesus Christ by being born again spiritually into the Kingdom of God as Jesus said we must (John 3) and His Apostles (Matthew 16:19) who were authorized described how (Acts 2). Which brings peace and joy in the Holy Spirit in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

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