(ABOVE VIDEO) This morning’s Civil Defense message with overflight video courtesy Mick Kalber filmed January 24.

NEWS BRIEFS

• The breakout along the north side of the flow continues to be active and is widening, but has not advanced since Wednesday, civil defense reports. The leading edge or front of this breakout remains approximately 0.4 miles from the area of Highway 130 to the west or mauka of the Pahoa Police and Fire Stations.
• Lava related brush fire activity is contained within the fire break perimeters. All fire break areas remain secure, civil defense says, and there is currently no fire threat to area residents and properties.
• Two active breakouts 1 to 1.5 miles upslope showed little activity and no signs of advancement. The lobe had entered a drainage area leading to the steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about .6 miles south of the Makuʻu Farmer’s Market.
• Breakouts along both margins of the flow and flow pad continue to be observed and Civil Defense says all current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.
• A magnitude 3.9 earthquake last night on Kilauea’s south flank had no obvious effects on volcanic activity, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The quake was located 5 miles south of Pu`u O`o at a depth of 7 km. It was felt over much of East Hawaii.

LATEST MAPS

Civil Defense Lava Flow Map – Updated Saturday, 1/24/15 at 7:00 am

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment shows that the original flow front and south margin breakout remain stalled. The breakout along the north side of the flow continues to be active and widening, however showing little signs of advancement over past three days. The leading edge or front of this breakout remains approximately 0.4 miles from the area of Highway 130 to the west or mauka of the Pahoa Police and Fire Stations. Two other breakouts along the north margin located 1-1.5 miles further upslope or behind the flow front showed little activity and no signs of advancement. A number of other breakouts along both margins of the flow and within the flow pad were observed however all current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are maintaining close observations of the flow. Residents and businesses down slope will be informed of any changes in flow activity and advancement.

Hawaii Fire Department personnel and equipment remain on scene and are monitoring the fire conditions. All fires that occurred are contained with the fire break perimeters and all burning activity is limited to hot spots and flare ups within the fire area. All fire break areas remain secure and there is currently no fire threat to area residents and properties.

Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and individuals who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.

On behalf of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and our partners we would like to thank everyone for your assistance and cooperation. Hawaii County Civil Defense on Jan. 24 at 8:15 a.m. HST

Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and within its East Rift Zone. Hawaii County Civil Defense this morning notes that the north-northeast advancing lobe of the June 27th lava flow remains active but still roughly 600 m (0.4 mi) from Highway 130 the area of the Pahoa Fire and Police Stations, with little significant advancement in recent days. Lava breakouts were also noted upslope along margins of this lobe and within the interior of the flow field. No significant changes are noted from Pu`u O`o or Kīlauea summit. Tilt measurements at Kīlauea summit and Pu`u O`o have leveled off since mid-morning January 23. A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was recorded at 10:30PM January 23 Hst. The earthquake was located beneath Kīlauea’s south flank 8 km (5 mi) south of Pu`u O`o and 21 km (13 mi) southeast of HVO, at a depth of 7 km. Though it was felt over much of East Hawai`i, there were no obvious effects from this earthquake noted in the eruption Webcams.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: The June 27th lava flow remains active. The leading tip of the north-northeast-advancing lobe of the flow remains roughly 600 m (0.4 mi) from Highway 130 in the area of the Pahoa Police and Fire Stations. Little significant advancement has been seen over the past few days. Scattered breakouts persist, and breakouts at the flow margins continue to widen the flow field. The original flow front, the south margin and north-northeast advancing lobe are all essentially stalled for now.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: No significant changes are noted since yesterday in monitoring data streams from instruments deployed near Pu`u O`o. Tilt measured by the Pu`u O`o tiltmeter has leveled off since yesterday morning. A few persistent incandescent spots are visible in the Web cam images. The most recent measurement of sulfur dioxide emissions from all East Rift Zone vents was about 200 tonnes per day on January 7.

Summit Observations: Summit inflation has leveled off since yesterday morning. Halema`uma`u Overlook lava lake levels continue to fluctuate and the lava lake continues to spatter. The lava-lake level has not changed significantly over the past several days. Measurements taken yesterday morning indicated the depth to the lava lake at 42 m below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu. Emission rate of sulfur dioxide ranged from around 4,500 to 7,600 tonnes/day during the week ending January 13.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Nov. 27 at 8:44 p.m. HST