(USGS MAP) Map as of 12:00 p.m. HST, May 23. On the main map, light purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015. On the inset map (lower right), the dark purple area indicates locations of Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone, Southwest Rift Zone, and summit, and the light purple area indicates the extent of Kīlauea.

(BIVN) – A new lava flow is expected to enter the ocean east of MacKenzie State Park tonight, emergency officials say, as eruption activity continues in the Lower East Rift Zone.

The middle portion of the fissure system is the most active with flows and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens, civil defense reported at 6 p.m.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued this update at 4:47 p.m. HST:

Fissure 6 through 22 continue erupting lava fountains. The fountains from Fissure 22 feed a single lava channel that reaches the coast just north of MacKenzie State Park. The actual point of entry has continued shifting to the west. Fountains erupted from Fissures 5, 6, 13, and 19 continued to feed a lava flow advancing to the south along the west side of the Fissure 22 flows and may reach the ocean this afternoon or evening. Fissure 17 continue weak spattering, Fissure 8 reactivated briefly this morning to erupt two small pahoehoe flows over the initial `a`a flow.

According to USGS scientists, “volcanic gas emissions have tripled as a result of the voluminous eruptions from the erupting fissures so SO2 concentrations are likely elevated to higher levels throughout the area downwind of the vents. Moderate trade winds today means that areas downwind of Kilauea gas emission sources may experience varying levels of vog.”

County officials had this update on Puna Geothermal Venture this evening:

• The situation remains stable, lava has not encroached further onto PGV property.
• County, state and federal crews are on the scene, and monitoring for sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
• There is no hydrogen sulfide detected at this time.

Frequent ash emissions continue at the Kilauea summit. According to USGS:

Multiple small eruptions of ash occurred over the past day, all ejecting ash to under 10,000 ft above sea level. One of the largest occurred about 10:30 this morning. Additional explosions are possible at any time.

Seismic levels, which abruptly decreased after the recent explosive eruptions, are again slowly increasing.

At this time, based on HVO web cameras, a robust plume of gas and steam is billowing out of the Overlook vent and drifting generally southwest.

At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles very near the vent. Communities downwind should be prepared for ashfall as long as this activity continues.

Hawaii County officials are warning residents to take action to avoid exposure to ash. The county is distributing free masks for ash protection:

• Distribution runs tonight through Friday from 3:30 to 7:30PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM.
• Masks will be distributed at Ocean View Community Center, Naalehu Community Center, Pahala Community Center, Cooper Center, and Shipman Gym in Keaau.
• Each person may receive up to three masks.
• Masks do not protect against gasses and vapors. They will only provide filtering for ash.