SMALL earthquakes dotted around the world's biggest active volcano has Hawaiians in a stir in fears that it may begin spewing lava at any minute. Mauna Loa, located on the Island of Hawaii, is one of the biggest active volcanoes and in recent years, the USGS (US Geological Survey) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has detected more frequent seismic activity in the region. The volcano has not erupted since 1984 and is long overdue an eruption having blown 10 times in the 20th century prior to this. The US's National Park Service writes: "When Mauna Loa erupts, voluminous, fast-moving lava flows can reach the ocean in only a few hours, severing roads and utilities and repaving the volcano's flanks along the way. "Since 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times, most recently in 1984, when lava flows reached to within 4 miles (6.4 km) of Hilo." In September last year, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory upgraded the alert level from "Normal" to "Advisory" due to the mini earthquakes that it has