NEWS BRIEFS

• The south margin breakout has advanced 130 yards since yesterday morning. Civil defense says the leading edge of this breakout is approaching the location of the stalled flow front and is approximately .6 miles to the west or mauka and upslope of Highway 130. USGS says it is 0.5 miles upslope of Pahoa Marketplace.
• Another breakout was observed on an HVO overflight yesterday as being active 0.4 miles upslope of Pahoa Marketplace. Civil defense did not report activity on this breakout this morning.
• Breakouts continue upslope, with a new breakout (which started two days ago) near the forested cone of Kahauale‘a.
• Smoke and Vog conditions were light to moderate with a light southwest wind blowing the smoke and vog in a northeast direction.

LATEST MAP

Civil Defense Lava Flow Map with Imagery – Updated Wednesday, 3/11/15 at 7:45 am

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 and continues to show signs of widening. The breakout has advanced approximately 130 yards since yesterday morning and the leading edge of this breakout is approaching the location of the stalled flow front and is approximately .6 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 and Vog conditions were light to moderate with a light southwest wind blowing the smoke and vog in a northeast direction. Smoke and vog 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. 11 at 7:45 a.m. HST

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and from its East Rift Zone. On the East Rift Zone, the inactive distal tip of the June 27th lava flow remains roughly 500 meters (~550 yd) from Highway 130. Breakouts continue behind the front, with a breakout on the south margin advancing towards the stalled tip over the past few days. The leading edge of this breakout was reported this morning as 0.6 miles (1 km) upslope of Highway 130, which is 0.5 miles (750 meters) from Pahoa Marketplace. Breakouts also continue west of Kaohe Homesteads and in the upper portions of the June 27th flow, north of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. At the summit, the lava lake level rose slightly over the past day.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: The June 27th lava flow remains active. The leading tip of the flow remains stalled 500 meters (~550 yd) upslope of Highway 130, with breakouts scattered in several areas upslope: 1) Near the stalled tip, a breakout has advanced along the south margin over the past few days. The leading edge of this active breakout was reported this morning by Civil Defense as 0.6 miles (1 km) upslope of Highway 130, and this leading edge is 0.5 miles (750 meters) upslope of Pahoa Marketplace. Another nearby breakout was observed on an HVO overflight yesterday as being active 0.4 miles (700 meters) upslope of Pahoa Marketplace. Additional breakouts were active farther upslope in this area. 2) An HVO overflight yesterday observed minor breakouts active west of Kaohe Homesteads. 3) An HVO overflight yesterday observed two main areas of breakouts active north of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, with a breakout (which started Feb 21) on the north flank of the cone and a new breakout (which started two days ago) near the forested cone of Kahauale‘a.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: An HVO overflight yesterday observed no major changes in the crater, with a small lava pond active in the southern portion of the crater. The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō shows no significant change over the past day. 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: The summit lava lake level rose over the past day, and was roughly 45-50 meters (150-165 feet) below the rim of the Overlook crater this morning. Tiltmeters operating around the summit show inflationary tilt over the past day. Emission rates of sulfur dioxide averaged 2500-4000 tonnes/day for the week ending March 3.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Mar. 11 at 10:13 a.m. HST

USGS HVO closeup of the new breakout near Puʻu Kahaualeʻa. (March 10, 2015)

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THE LATEST: June 27 lava flow archive