NEWS BRIEFS

• There continues to be no change with of any of the down slope flow areas, although breakouts continue upslope, civil defense reports.
• The north margin breakout advanced 20 yards since yesterday morning. The activity is being described as sluggish. The leading edge of this breakout is approximately 1 mile to the west or mauka of Highway 130.
• Smoke conditions were light with a light north wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.

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. The breakout along the north margin remains active however sluggish and has advanced approximately 20 yards since yesterday morning. The leading edge of this breakout is approximately 1 mile to the west or mauka of Highway 130 . 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 and residents and businesses down slope will be informed of any changes in flow activity and advancement.

Smoke conditions were light 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. A light rain was occurring in the area this morning and there is no brush fire threat at this time.

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. 22 at 7:30 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. Breakouts continue in both the down slope and upslope flow areas. The breakout along the north margin of the stalled flow tip is still active but sluggish, and has advanced approximately 20 m (22 yards) in a northeasterly direction since yesterday morning. The leading edge of this flow is approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) upslope of Highway 130. Tiltmeters located at the summit have recorded inflationary 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 breakout along the north margin of the stalled flow tip is sluggish, and has advanced approximately 20 m (22 yards) since yesterday morning. The leading edge is roughly 1.6 km (1 mile) upslope of Highway 130. Due to poor weather, web cam views were limited, but suggest that activity at the various breakouts continues.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō showed inflationary tilt beginning yesterday afternoon, however, this is likely associated with heavy rainfall. Limited 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 and weather conditions have prevented more recent measurements).

Summit Observations: Tiltmeters operating around the summit recorded inflationary tilt over the past day. Small rockfall or wall collapses at around 10:08 am and 2:20 pm yesterday perturbed the lava surface within the summit eruptive vent. Currently the level is 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. Seismic tremor at the summit remained low. Small earthquakes located near the south portion of Kīlauea Caldera continue, although at a reduced rate as compared to last week.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Feb. 22 at 8:52 a.m. HST