USGS: Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

UPDATE (10:30 p.m.) – As of 9:53 p.m. HST, USGS reports the Fissure 8 lava flow front had advanced across agricultural land to within 1.1 miles of Four Corners, or the Highway 132/137 intersection. The lava flow crossed Railroad Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. HST.

(BIVN) – The vigorous lava eruption from Fissure 8 in Leilani Estates continues, and tonight officials are warning about the dangers posed by a “leveed channel” along the western edge of the lava flow. “Breaches in the channel formed by the Fissure 8 flow can happen without notice and result in rapid moving flows,” civil defense said. “Everyone is advised to stay away from active volcanic areas.”

The front of the Fissure 8 flow near Noni Farms road advanced at rates up to 100 yards/hour today. At 12:30 p.m. HST, the flow front was 1.9 miles from the Four Corners area, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. “The Hawaii Fire Department has evacuated residents in homes along Papaya Farms Road and Noni Farms Road,” civil defense says. “Any residents remaining should evacuate now.”

“All residents of Vacationland and Kapoho Beach Lots are advised to evacuate and complete their evacuation by 6:00 p.m., tomorrow, Friday, June 1,” emergency officials say, “or risk the possibility of being isolated.”

Fissure 8 has become a dominant feature of the fissure system in Leilani Estates. According to the USGS:

Fissure 8 continued to produce persistent fountains that reached heights up to 260 feet. A small spatter cone is forming on the downwind side of the fountain and is approximately 100 feet high. The fountains are feeding flow activity to the northeast, and minor overflows from the Fissure 8 channel are occurring along its length. One overflow covered the remaining northern part of Makamae Street in Leilani Estates. This overflow crossed Kahukai street, filling in a low area between Makamae and Luana streets.

“Pele’s hair and other lightweight volcanic glass from high fountaining of Fissure 8 are falling downwind of the fissure and accumulating on the ground within Leilani Estates,” USGS added. “Winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Residents are urged to minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation similar to volcanic ash.”

The following is in effect for Leilani Estates:

• Mandatory evacuation is for areas east of Pomaikai Street in Leilani Estates.
• Residents have until 12:00 noon, tomorrow, Friday, June 1 to evacuate the mandatory evacuation area.
• Persons remaining in the mandatory evacuation area do so at their own risk with the knowledge that emergency responders may not be able to respond.

Fissure 18 is still feeding the upper part of an acrtive lava flow that extends to within 1.5 miles of Highway 137. Scientists say the lower portion of the fissure 18 lava flow stalled about 0.5 mi from the highway.

Fissure 2 is weakly active and is pooling lava around the vent.