NEWS BRIEFS

• Still no change with of any of the down slope flow areas. The inactive distal tip of the June 27th lava flow remains roughly 550 yards from Highway 130 in the area west of the Pāhoa Fire and Police Stations.
• A breakout on the south margin 600 yards upslope of the front has occurred and has advanced 50 yards since yesterday. Surface breakouts and breakouts along both margins upslope also continue. All current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light north wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.

MEDIA

Hawaii County Civil Defense message:

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment continues to show no change with of any of the down slope flow areas. 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. A small breakout along the south margin of the flow approximately 600 yards upslope and behind the stalled front has occurred and has advanced approximately 50 yards since yesterday morning. 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 north 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. All burning activity was limited to vegetation burning along the edges of the breakouts and 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. 15 at 8:00 a.m. HST

Activity Summary: 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 for the past several weeks, but many breakouts remain active upslope. Tiltmeters located at the summit recorded minor deflationary tilt in the past 24 hours. There has been a minor increase in small earthquakes near the south portion of Kīlauea Caldera.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: Observers on a Civil Defense overflight this morning reported that the inactive flow tip remains stalled with scattered breakouts active upslope of the tip. They noted a small breakout roughly 600 yd upslope of the stalled tip that had advanced 50 yd in the past day. A thermal satellite image from yesterday shows scattered breakouts upslope of the stalled tip, as well as continued minor activity on the breakout west of Kaohe Homesteads. Webcam views over the past day showed continued activity at the breakout about 3 km (2 miles) northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō at the forest boundary, creating small brush fires.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō showed no significant change over the past day. Webcam views show incandescence in the normal locations within 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 slight deflationary tilt during the past 24 hours, following several days of inflationary tilt. The level of lava within the summit eruptive vent fluctuated slightly over the past day due to variations in spattering and remains roughly 40 m (130 ft) below the rim of the Overlook crater. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide were measured at 3,700 tonnes/day on February 9. There has been a minor increase in small earthquakes near the south portion of Kīlauea Caldera, possibly related to summit inflation. A handful of small earthquakes have also occurred offshore, around the Southwest Rift Zone, over the past day. Seismic tremor at the summit remained low.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Feb. 15 at 8:56 a.m. HST