(USGS) Map as of 12:00 p.m. HST, July 6, 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.

(BIVN) – Fissure 8 continues to supply lava to the open channel with intermittent small, short-lived overflows, while the summit of Kilauea has undergone another collapse explosion.

The energy from the 6:04 p.m. Kīlauea summit collapse explosion event was equivalent to a Magnitude 5.3 earthquake. Inward slumping of the rim and walls of Halemaʻumaʻu continues in response to ongoing subsidence at the summit.

The Hawaii Police Department reports one lane of Highway 11 remains closed at the 30 mile marker near Volcano Golf Course subdivision due to a large sink hole. An assessment will be performed to determine the status of the road.

photo of the Highway 11 sinkhole courtesy the National Park Service

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory posted this update on the lower East Rift Zone after 11 a.m. today:

Fountains from Fissure 8 spatter cone continue to supply lava to the open channel with intermittent small, short-lived overflows. The spatter cone is now about 55 m (180 ft) tall at its highest point, and fountains rarely rise above that point. As shown by the July 02 thermal map of the flow field, the main lava channel no longer reaches the coast, the channel flow seems to stall about 0.8 km (0.5 mi) inland of the coast; however, lava is oozing into the ocean from multiple points primarily along the northern section of a broad flow front. The large flow active over the past 48 hours from multiple ooze-outs along the northern edge of the flow continued to be active between Kapoho Crater and the ocean and continued to be the dominant ocean entry and laze plume this morning.

The following policies remain in effect, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense:

• Four Corners and Kapoho Beach Lots are closed to any access.
• Be aware that spill overs of the channel and other breakouts are possible on the active flow field, do not access the active flow field due to extreme hazard.

Image from video recorded today by Hawaii County

USGS reported this morning that Fissure 22 is still weakly spattering with a weak flow extending east.

The National Weather Service report potential thunderstorms this evening and tomorrow for lower Puna, officials say. Due to the potential thunderstorms, the following advisories are issued:

• Be aware of lightning; the best place to be is indoors.
• Expect possible interruptions in your utility services.
• Be on the alert for malfunctioning traffic signals. Please treat flashing traffic lights as a four-way stop.

Disaster assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawaii County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption, county officials reminded in tonight’s message. “Starting Saturday, The Disaster Recovery Center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays,” civil defense said. “The Center is located at the Keaau High School Gym. If you need a ride, buses run between the two shelters and the Disaster Recovery Center.”

The County also reports the Salvation Army is operating a distribution center at the Pahoa Community Center on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. “If you have items you wish to donate, please coordinate with the Salvation Army at (808) 756-0306,” civil defense stated.