NEWS BRIEFS

• No advancement on the flow front, and that includes the small breakout 600 yards upslope that had previously advanced 90 yards over two days.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light north wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.
• Upslope activity continues 2 miles northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō at the forest boundary, and west of Kaohe Homesteads.

LATEST MAPS

Inset of a Civil Defense Lava Flow Map updated Tuesday, 2/17/15 at 7:00 am

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment continues to show no change with 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. The small breakout along the south margin of the flow approximately 600 yards upslope and behind the stalled front is sluggish and has not advanced 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. 17 at 8:15 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 deflationary tilt in the past 24 hours.

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. The small breakout roughly 600 yd upslope of the stalled tip has not advanced over the past day. 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. Webcam views show a small area of forest burning west of Kaohe Homesteads suggesting that the breakout in that area remains active, though a thermal satellite image on Saturday showed the breakout area was small.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō showed minor deflation 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 deflationary tilt during the past 24 hours. The level of lava within the summit eruptive vent dropped slightly over the past day and is estimated at roughly 40-45 m (130-150 ft) below the rim of the Overlook crater this morning. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide were measured at 3,700 tonnes/day on February 9. The recent increase in small earthquakes near the south portion of Kīlauea Caldera has declined over the past day. Seismic tremor at the summit remained low.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Feb. 17 at 8:48 a.m. HST