(ABOVE PHOTO) November 17 photo of the stalled flow front in Pahoa, courtesy Ena Media Hawaii / Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

NEWS BRIEFS

• Civil defense says there continues to be very little activity along the down slope breakouts and no advancement has been noted since Saturday.
• Weather conditions did not allow for an upslope assessment this morning. Numerous surface breakouts and flows were noted yesterday in the areas from the vent to the crack system, civil defense says, indicating lava remains in the system. The nearest surface flow activity and surface breakouts are approximately 5 miles upslope of Apa’a Street.
• The evacuation advisory for residents down slope of the flow will continue. Also, Pahoa Village Road between Apa’a Street and the Post Office Road will remain closed and limited to area residents only.

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment continues to show very little activity along the down slope breakouts and no advancement has been noted since Saturday. Weather conditions did not allow for an upslope assessment and attempts will be made to conduct another assessment later this morning. Although no activity was observed downslope of the crack system, numerous surface breakouts and flows were noted yesterday in the areas from the vent to the crack system indicating lava remains in the system. The nearest surface flow activity and surface breakouts are approximately 5 miles upslope of Apa’a Street.

Smoke conditions are light with a light trade wind blowing the smoke in a south southwest direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.

The evacuation advisory for those residents down slope of the flow will continue and residents will be kept informed of the flow status and advancement.

The Pahoa Village Road between Apa’a Street and the Post Office Road will remain closed and limited to area residents only. Access to the businesses and commercial areas of the Pahoa town can be made through the Pahoa Village Road at the intersection of Highways 130 and 132 and the Post Office Road. We apologize for any inconvenience the road closure may be presenting with and remind everyone that the Pahoa town center and businesses are open and accessible.

Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

Additional updates will be broadcasted as conditions change.

We would like to thank everyone for your patience and understanding and your cooperation and assistance is greatly appreciated. Hawaii County Civil Defense on Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. HST

Scientists of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted field observations on the lowermost part of the June 27th lava flow today, November 18, 2014. They walked as far as about 1.2 km (0.75 mi) upslope of Apa`a St./Cemetery Rd. to look for evidence of inflation along the tube system and for new breakouts, but they found no indication that lava was still moving through this part of the tube system or on the surface all the way to the flow tip near Pahoa Village Road.

Based on overflights conducted by Hawai`i County Civil Defense today, the breakout near Puʻu Kahaulaeʻa remained active, and a new breakout had occurred from the middle of the crack system about 11 km (7 mi) in a straight line distance downslope of Pu`u `Ō`ō. This breakout indicates lava has reoccupied the tube system at least this far from the vent.

An overflight is scheduled for Wednesday.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Nov. 18 at 5:37 p.m. HST