(USGS) This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 2 pm on Monday, July 9. The upper part of the Fissure 8 flow is not shown here as weather conditions did not allow data collection in that area – only the lower part of the flow is shown here. The fountain at Fissure 8 remains active. Numerous overflows today appear to have disrupted the supply of lava to the ocean. The open channel terminates just west of Four Corners, with several overflows on the north and south margins of the flow. 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.

(BIVN) – The lava lobe that was progressing northeast towards Cinder Road is no longer advancing at this time, the USGS reported at 4 a.m. this morning, adding that “there has been no significant activity on the north side of the Fissure 8 lava channel since the overflows yesterday afternoon.”

According to a Hawaii County Civil Defense message issued Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., Fissure 8 in Leilani Estates continues to be very active and is feeding a lava channel to the ocean at Kapoho, although “the ocean entry showed reduced size late Monday.”

“The channel flow split north and south and expanded upslope of the Four Corners,” civil defense stated. “It appears that the north flow has stalled overnight. A morning flight is scheduled to determine where the active flow edges have reached overnight.”

Scientists reported last night that the lower part of the main lava channel “has undergone significant reorganization”, likely due to a blockage that formed Monday morning in the main channel upstream of Kapoho Crater.

An overflow further down the channel reached beyond the flow field Monday, and one flow lobe was moving northeast from the main channel towards Cinder Road. At 4 p.m. civil defense said there was “no immediate threat at this time,” but added that “residents in the Cinder Road area are advised to be prepared for voluntary evacuation if necessary.”

This morning, civil defense said the following policies remain in effect:

• Kapoho Beach Lots and Four Corners area 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.
• There is no immediate threat, persons in areas of active flows are reminded to be on alert and prepared for changes and plan for evacuation.

There will be an Eruption Update meeting tonight at 5 p.m. at the Pahoa High School cafeteria.