USGS: This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Saturday, June 16. The fountain at Fissure 8 remains active, with the lava flow entering the ocean at Kapoho. Very small, weak lava flows have been active recently near the Fissure 16/18 area. The black and white area is the extent of the thermal map. Temperature in the thermal image is displayed as gray-scale values, with the brightest pixels indicating the hottest areas. The thermal map was constructed by stitching many overlapping oblique thermal images collected by a handheld thermal camera during a helicopter overflight of the flow field. The base is a copyrighted color satellite image (used with permission) provided by Digital Globe.

Summit Explosion

At 6:26 Sunday morning, a seismic event occurred at Halema`uma`u crater which produced a relatively ash-poor gas plume rising to 5,000-7,000 ft above sea level, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported.

The wind is blowing in the southwest direction and ash may affect the areas of Volcano and Ka’u, Hawaii County Civil Defense said. Officials provided this information:

• If you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. If you are outside seek cover.
• If you are in the car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution or pull over and park.
• After the hazard has passed, do check your home and especially your catchment system for any impact that may affect your water quality.

Lower East Rift Zone Eruption

At 6 a.m. Sunday, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported:

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the eruption activity continues at Fissure 8 in the lower East Rift Zone. Lava is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume. Heavy vog is blanketing the interior and southern parts of the island, impacting Hilo and wrapping around to Kona through the weekend.

Due to the hazardous air quality conditions, officials provided the following guidance:

• Do continue to be on the alert for air quality conditions around you. Limit outside activities and stay indoors if you have breathing issues.
• You can monitor the latest air quality measurements through the University of Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project, linked on our Civil Defense Agency website.

More Citations, Higher Penalties

According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, officers issued another dozen citations over the past ten days. Those cited now face higher penalties. From a DLNR media release:

The urge to get up close and personal to lava during the current Kilauea eruption is not only unsafe but people who get caught now potentially face steep fines and jail time.

Earlier this month Governor David Ige issued a supplemental proclamation which provides fines of up to $5,000 and potentially a year in jail for people convicted of loitering in a closed area. In the proclamation Governor Ige stated, “I find there is a need to strengthen the enforcement tools available to county and state emergency management officials in controlling public access to dangerous areas and associated evacuation efforts as a result of the failure of the public to comply with instructions and orders issued by officials.”

Prior to the enactment of more severe penalties, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) had issued more than three dozen people citations. Some of the people cited over the past week and a half in various closed areas could face the new penalties if convicted.

During patrols DOCARE officers often have to put on gas masks to protect themselves from the noxious volcanic gasses being created by lava, DLNR said, noting that fast flowing lava can cut off escape routes putting both rescuers and loiterers at great risk.

With the latest round of citations officers have now cited nearly 40 people since the East Rift Zone eruption began in early May, the state says.

Disaster Recovery Center

Hawaii County Civil Defense repeated the following information this morning:

Residents of Hawai‘i County who suffered damage or losses from the recent Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes, can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

According to county officials:

• The Disaster Recovery Center or DRC, is open daily from 8am to 8pm, and is located at the Keaau High School Gym.
• Shuttle buses will be running between the two shelters and the DRC from 7:30 am to 9 pm.
• The shuttles run every 20 minutes from the Keaau Armory, and every hour from the Pahoa Community Center shelter. The full bus schedule can be found on our Civil Defense Website at HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts.
• For a list of the information you need to bring with you to the DRC, or if you want to register online, go to DisasterAssistance.gov.