(ABOVE VIDEO) Footage of the breakout 1.2 miles downslope of Puʻu ʻŌʻō taken by Mick Kalber aboard Paradise Helicopters. Video includes discussion with USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Steve Brantley, recorded during a Friday media conference call.

NEWS BRIEFS

• A breakout far upslope may be robbing material from the lava flow, resulting in a slow-down of activity at the front, scientists say.
• The northern-most lobe at the flow front appears to have gone cold, according to recent observations by USGS. The lava tube that fed this portion of the flow may no longer be effective in pushing lava to this end of this breakout. The lobe had entered a drainage area leading to the steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about six tenths of a mile south of the Makuʻu Farmer’s Market.

PUNA, Hawaii – According to Mick Kalber, who filmed the footage in the above video, the bulk of the activity observed today was at the breakout. “This flow has been entering the forest,” Kalber said, “and flowing on the surface to the north of the June 27th flow path for several days now, and is in an area that was inundated prior to the June 27th flow.”

“Very few breakouts ever so slowly widen the flow front,” Kalber observed, “but it is the opinion of this observer that the flows near Pahoa are dying.”