(ABOVE) Inset from today’s Civil Defense Lava Flow Map, updated Monday, 1/26/15 at 7:00 a.m.

NEWS BRIEFS

• Lava advanced 50 yards since yesterday and is now 0.36 miles from the area of Highway 130 to the west or mauka of the Pahoa Police and Fire Stations. The leading edge of the breakout on the north side of the flow front continues to be active and widening, and civil defense says it is making sluggish northeast advancement.
• There has been no advancement elsewhere on the flow front. The previous leading edge and south margin breakout remain stalled, while the two other breakouts along the north margin located 1-1.5 miles further upslope showed little activity and no signs of advancement.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northeast wind blowing the smoke in a southwest direction.

CIVIL DEFENSE AUDIO MESSAGE

LATEST MAP

Civil Defense Lava Flow Map – Updated Monday, 1/26/15 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, showing signs of sluggish advancement. The leading edge or front of this breakout advanced approximately 50 yards northeast since yesterday morning and is located approximately 0.36 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.

Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northeast wind blowing the smoke in a southwest 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. With the current and ongoing light rain in the area there was no brush fire activity.

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. 26 at 7:45 a.m. HST

Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and within its East Rift Zone. Activity near the northern-most edge of the June 27th flow continues and after several days without significant advance, its active leading edge advanced some 50 yards (0.45 m), bringing it to 0.36 mi (580 m) from Highway 130 in the area west of the Pahoa Fire and Police Stations. Breakouts along the margins of this lobe are also widening the flow. No significant changes are noted from Pu`u O`o or Kīlauea summit.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: This morning’s update from County Civil Defense notes that, after several days of continued widening of the flow tip but without signs of significant advance, the breakout along the north side of the flow advanced roughly 50 yards (~45 m). The leading edge or tip of this breakout is now roughly 0.36 mi (580 m) from the stretch of Highway 130 west of the Pahoa Fire and Police Stations. Upslope breakouts along the north side, some 1 to 1-1/2 mi (~1.6 to 2.4 km) behind the flow front remained active but have not advanced significantly. Additional active breakouts within the flow field and along the flow margins were also noted and smoke from resulting fires was evident in HVO Webcams. The original front of the June 27th lava flow and the south margin breakouts remain stalled.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: No significant changes are noted since yesterday in monitoring data streams from instruments deployed near Pu`u O`o. A few persistent incandescent spots are visible in the Web cam images. Tilt measurements obtained from instruments at Pu`u O`o are plausibly reflecting effects of rainfall in that area during the past 24 hours. 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: Halema`uma`u Overlook vent lava lake levels continue to fluctuate and the lava lake continues to spatter. Based on HVO Webcam images, the lava-lake level looks to have dropped slightly since Friday when the measured distance to the lava lake surfaced was measured at 42 m below the floor of Halema`uma`u. Summit tilt shows no significant changes since recovery from the January 20 DI-cycling. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide ranged from around 4,500 to 7,600 tonnes/day during the week ending January 13.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Jan. 26 at 8:57 a.m. HST