The 1859 eruption of Mauna Loa volcano was its largest eruption on record. It began on January 23 with an eruption on the northwest side of the volcano at 11,090 feet elevation. The eruption ultimately destroyed a coastal village and fishponds on the west coast of Hawaii. Mauna Loa has erupted 39 times since 1832, with 11 major explosions and many smaller eruptions. Its last eruption was in April 1984, which was very short. Mauna Loa means "Long Mountain" and is one of the most active volcanoes, estimated to be between 600,000 to 1,000,000 years old.