(ABOVE PHOTO) Activity in Puʻu ʻŌʻō remains similar to what has been observed during recent weeks, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on October 13. Scientists will be keeping a close eye on Puʻu ʻŌʻō – the source of the June 27 lava flow – as the speed of the advance of the flow front fluctuates.

NEWS BRIEFS

• The flow front “appears to be slowing” and has advanced approximately 25 yards since yesterday, civil defense reports. Lava remains 0.6 miles from Apa’a Street near the Pahoa Transfer Station.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate this morning with light winds out of the northeast.

INSIGHTS

As Tropical Storm Ana threatens to hamper lava overflights this weekend, emergency officials can at least take some comfort in the latest slow down. How long the slow down will last is unknown.

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment shows that the flow front continues to be active however appears to be slowing and has advanced approximately 25 yards since yesterday. The flow continues to move slowly in a northeast direction and remains approximately 0.6 miles from the Apa’a Street area near the Pahoa Transfer Station. All burning activity is limited to vegetation that is in direct contact with the flow and there is no brush fire threat at this time. Smoke conditions were light to moderate this morning with light winds out of the northeast.

Current flow activity continues to move in a northeast direction and does not pose an immediate threat to area communities and no evacuation is needed at this time. Area residents will be given adequate notice to safely evacuate should that be necessary.

The public is reminded that the flow is not visible and cannot be accessed from any public areas. Access to the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision will remain restricted to area residents only.Hawaii County Civil Defense on Oct. 15

Activity along the June 27th lava flow continues, with lava moving through the tube from Puʻu ʻŌʻō to the flow front. This morning’s Civil Defense overflight observed continued activity at the flow front, but with only a small amount of advancement (23 m, or 25 yards) since yesterday. Civil Defense reports the flow front this morning was approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) from Apa`a St. Breakouts have also been scattered a short distance behind the flow front, as well as midway along the length of the flow where lava first entered the crack system. Vegetation in direct contact with the flow is burning. An HVO overflight is scheduled for this morning.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: No significant change in tilt was recorded at Puʻu ʻŌʻō over the past day. Glow was visible overnight above several outgassing openings in the crater floor, but there were no significant changes in activity within the crater over the past day. The most recent sulfur-dioxide emission-rate measurement for the East Rift Zone was 450 tonnes per day (from all sources) on October 9, 2014. Seismic tremor has been low and constant.

Summit Observations: There was deflationary ground tilt at the summit over the past day, with steeper deflation starting around 4 am this morning. The lava lake level within the Overlook crater is fairly stable. There was no major change in seismicity on Kīlauea over the past day.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Oct. 15