(ABOVE PHOTO) This civil defense photo from November 26 shows activity upslope on the June 27 lava flow.

NEWS BRIEFS

• The flow front in Pahoa is thankfully quiet this holiday. The closest, most active breakout is 3.1 miles upslope along the north margin of the original flow field. It is moving in a north/northeast direction.
• The Pahoa Village Road was reopened to all traffic at noon yesterday and civil defense is advising motorists to “exercise caution as some utility pole protection material remains in place.” The agency is also the public to “please respect the residents of the area who were affected by the lava flow and to not trespass on private property.”

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment shows that the up slope breakouts remain active. The active and most down slope breakout is located along the north side or margin of the original flow and moving in a north/northeast direction. The nearest breakout activity is currently approximately 3.1 miles upslope of the Apa’a street area. Current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities and Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory personnel are maintaining close observations of flow activity. Residents down slope will be kept informed of any changes in flow activity, advancement, and status.

Smoke conditions were light to moderate with all smoke from burning vegetation being blown in a southeast direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take precautions and to remain indoors.

The Pahoa Village Road was reopened to all traffic as of 12:00 noon yesterday and motorists are advised to exercise caution as some utility pole protection material remains in place. Everyone is asked to please respect the residents of the area who were affected by the lava flow and to not trespass on private property.

Once again we would like to thank everyone for your patience and understanding and your cooperation and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.Hawaii County Civil Defense on Nov. 27 at 8 a.m. HST

Civil Defense map published on Wednesday.

Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and within its East Rift Zone. Active breakouts are occurring in the upper part of the June 27th flow field around the crack system near the abandoned geothermal well site. Over the past 24 hours, minor net deflation was recorded by Kīlauea’s summit tiltmeter network, and the level of the summit lava lake fluctuated according to changes in spattering.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: The lowermost breakouts from the crack system near the abandoned geothermal well site remain active. A Civil Defense overflight on Thursday morning found that the most downslope breakout was 5.0 km (3.1 mi) above Apaʻa Street. The next HVO overflight is scheduled for Friday morning, weather permitting.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: No significant changes were noted near Puʻu ʻŌʻō. The tiltmeter on the north flank of the cone showed minor deflationary tilt over the past 24 hours (an offset at about 4:15 AM Thursday morning appears to be an instrumental artifact), and seismic tremor remained low. Webcams revealed no strong variations in the pattern of glow from degassing vents or the configuration of the crater floor. GPS-measured deformation across the cone has shown neither extension nor contraction since July. The most recent measurement of sulfur dioxide emissions from the East Rift Zone was about 250 tonnes per day on November 26, 2014.

Summit Observations: Ground tilt at Kīlauea’s summit over the past 24 hours was characterized by minor net deflation. The surface height of the lava lake in the Overlook vent fluctuated according changes in spattering, averaging about 51 meters (170 feet) below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Volcanic tremor amplitude similarly varied based on spattering activity in the lake. Small amounts of particulate material were carried aloft by the plume. The average emission rate of sulfur dioxide was 6,900 tonnes/day for the week ending on November 25 (see caveat below).

The staff of HVO would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Nov. 27 at 8:29 a.m. HST