NEWS BRIEFS

• The flow continues to be active but has not advanced downslope. The inactive distal tip remains 550 yards from Highway 130 in the area west of the Pāhoa Fire and Police Stations.
• The small breakout along the south margin heading towards Apaa Street has slowed down. The breakout remains active however sluggish and widening and has not advanced since yesterday morning. It advanced 200 yards the day before.
• Smoke conditions were light with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.

March 9, 2015: An image from this morning’s civil defense overflight shows the view from the south flow margin, looking down slope towards Apaa Street. After advancing 200 yards in one day, the breakout has slowed today.

CIVIL DEFENSE MESSAGE

PRIMARY SOURCES

Surface activity and activity along both margins extending from the west or just above the stalled flow fronts to the summit area continues with numerous small breakouts. The surface breakouts along the length of the flow pad continues to provide an indication that the tube system is being 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 to the west or upslope of the stalled front remains active however sluggish and widening and has not advanced since yesterday morning. The leading edge of this breakout is approximately 0.8 miles to the west or mauka and upslope 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 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.

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 Mar. 9 at 8:45 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 continues but has not moved closer to Hwy 130 in over a week. Breakouts continue behind the front and in the up slope areas mostly within the flow margins. The breakout along the north margin of the stalled flow tip is still active but sluggish. The leading edge of this flow is approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) up slope of Highway 130. Activity continues on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: In the down slope areas, to include the flow front, the lava flow continues with scattered surface breakouts, within the flow margins, and minor expansion of the flow field. Overall the flow has not moved closer to Hwy 130 in over a week. The breakout on the south side of the flow front lobe, about 870 m (0.5 mi) from Malama Market, is no longer advancing toward the Market, but also continues to widen.

Upslope of the flow front, ~800 m back from the southern flow tip is the breakout reported by CD. In addition, west of Kaohe, there are scattered breakouts that continue in the same general areas that have been active for about the last month.

In the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō region — The breakout about 3 km (2 miles) northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō at the forest boundary remains active. The new breakout on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō remains active.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō shows no significant change in ground tilt. The rate of sulfur dioxide emission from all East Rift Zone vents was about 250 tonnes per day for the week ending on February 25.

Summit Observations: Tiltmeters operating around the summit show deflationary tilt which started early on Monday, March 9. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide were an average of 2400-3600 tonnes/day for the week ending March 3.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Mar. 9 at 8:52 a.m. HST

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THE LATEST: June 27 lava flow archive