NEWS BRIEFS

• There has been no advancement of any of the down slope flow areas. Civil defense says “multiple surface breakouts and breakouts along both margins upslope of the flow front continue and provide indication that the tube system continues to be supplied and lava from the source is making its way to the down slope areas”, and that all current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities. USGS says the closest breakout to the stalled tip was about 330 yards upslope of the tip.
• The active breakout 2 miles northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō has reached the forest boundary. It has advanced about 480 yards over old a’a flows since February 5. Although this breakout has triggered several small brush fires, officials do not think it will start a large brush fire because the forest at that elevation is very wet.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light south wind blowing the smoke in a north/northeast direction. A light rain was occurring in the area this morning and no burning activity related to the recent brush fire was noted.
• The Pahoa Community Informational meetings planned for Thursday evenings have been suspended until further notice.

LATEST MAPS

Inset from today’s Civil Defense Overview Lava Flow Map – Updated Wednesday, 2/11/15 at 7:00 am

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment continues to show no advancement of any of the down slope flow areas. Multiple surface breakouts and breakouts along both margins upslope of the flow front continue and provide indication that the tube system continues to be supplied and lava from the source is making its way to the down slope areas. 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 south wind blowing the smoke in a north/northeast 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. A light rain was occurring in the area this morning and no burning activity related to the recent brush fire was noted. There is no fire threat to any nearby communities and the fire conditions will be monitored closely.

The Pahoa Community Informational meetings planned for Thursday evenings will be suspended until further notice. The suspension of these meetings is due to the decrease in advancement and limited change in flow activity as well as to allow for community members and our partner agencies to return to normal life and business activities. The eruption and flow will be monitored closely and daily assessments and updates will continue. The community will be kept informed of any changes in the eruption and flow. Anyone seeking information on the status of the flow can visit the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory websites or contact the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency at 935-0031.

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 Feb. 11 at 8:45 a.m. HST

Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and from its East Rift Zone. The inactive distal tip of the June 27th lava flow remains roughly 500 m (~550 yd) from Highway 130 in the area west of the Pāhoa Fire and Police Stations. The flow has not advanced downslope in about 2 weeks, but many breakouts remain active upslope. Tiltmeters located at the summit recorded inflationary tilt in the past 24 hours. No significant changes have occurred at the volcano during the past 24 hours.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: An HVO overflight yesterday observed no major changes on the June 27th lava flow. The inactive flow tip remains roughly 500 m (~550 yd) from Highway 130, with scattered breakouts active upslope. The closest breakout to the stalled tip was about 300 m (330 yd) upslope of the tip. Another area of breakouts remains active west of Kaohe Homesteads; these surface flows were active in the middle of the flow field and had not expanded the flow margins significantly. A third area of activity was closer to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, with a breakout active about 3 km (2 miles) northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, at the forest boundary. The cross-sectional area of the lava stream measured yesterday afternoon by HVO scientists was the same as measured on Feb 5, 2.1 square meters (2.5 square yards). Webcam views of the June 27th flow overnight show no significant change.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: No significant change in tilt was recorded by the tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō during the past 24 hours. Webcams show a few spots of fluctuating glow emanating from small pits within the crater, and yesterday’s overflight showed no major changes in the crater. Seismic tremor has remained low. The rate of sulfur dioxide emission from all East Rift Zone vents was about 200 tonnes per day, measured on January 7 (unfavorable wind conditions have prevented more recent measurements).

Summit Observations: Tiltmeters operating around the summit recorded inflationary tilt during the past 24 hours. The level of lava within the summit eruptive vent fluctuated a minor amount over the past day, related to spattering and gas emission. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide ranged from around 4,400 to 5,100 tonnes/day during the week ending on January 27 (unfavorable wind conditions prevented measurements during the past week). There was no significant change in seismicity on Kīlauea during the past day; seismic tremor at the summit remained low.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. HST