United States Geological Service

Why is in news? Hawaii's Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupts for first time in nearly 40 years

The world's largest active volcano, Hawaii's Mauna Loa, is erupting for the first time in almost 40 years.

An ashfall advisory is in effect for Hawaii's Big Island and the surrounding waters, and residents have been told to remain vigilant.

The volcano's alert level has been upgraded from an "advisory" to a "warning", the highest classification.

Mauna Loa last erupted in March and April of 1984, sending lava flows within 8 kilometres of the city of Hilo.

United States Geological Survey:

The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government.

The U.S. Geological Survey is the nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency.

It collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding of natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

The organization's work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, and hydrology.

The USGS is a fact-finding research organization with no regulatory responsibility.

The agency was founded on March 3, 1879.

Headquartered: Reston, Virginia

Motto - "science for a changing world, Slogan - "Earth Science in the Public Service".