NEWS BRIEFS

• There has been no change with any of the down slope flow areas. Surface breakouts continue showing the tube system continues to be supplied with lava from the source.
• The small breakout 600 yards upslope has not advanced since Monday morning. The activity on the south margin behind the stalled front is sluggish, civil defense reports.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.

LATEST MAP

Civil Defense Lava Flow Map with Imagery – Updated Wednesday, 2/18/15 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 Monday 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 northwest 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. 18 at 7:45 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 have recorded little net change in tilt over the past day.

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 on the south margin of the flow and roughly 600 yd upslope of the stalled tip remains sluggish, and has not advanced since Monday morning. 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.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō showed little net change in tilt 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 little net change in tilt over the past day. The level of lava within the summit eruptive vent is estimated at roughly 40-45 m (130-150 ft) below the rim of the Overlook crater. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide were measured at 3,300 tonnes/day on February 13. 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. 18 at 9:16 a.m. HST