(USGS) This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Wednesday, August 15. Residual lava in the Fissure 8 flow continues to drain, feeding numerous small ocean entries. In the Fissure 8 cone there was a single, small lava pond. 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) – There was no Hawai‘i County Civil Defense message about the eruption on Thursday morning, as the lull in activity at Kīlauea Volcano continues.

“No summit collapse events have occurred since August 2,” reported the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory today in a message similar to what was reported the day before, “and, with the exception of a small, crusted-over pond of lava deep inside the fissure 8 cone and a few scattered ocean entries, lava stopped flowing in the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) on August 6. Sulfur dioxide emission rates at both the summit and LERZ are drastically reduced; the combined rate is lower than at any time since late 2007.”

USGS scientists say “earthquake and deformation data show no net accumulation, withdrawal, or significant movement of subsurface magma or pressurization as would be expected if the system was building toward a resumption of activity.”

From the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:

It is too soon to tell if this change represents a temporary lull or the end of the LERZ eruption and/or summit collapse activity. In 1955, similar pauses of 5 and 16 days occurred during an 88-day-long LERZ eruption. During the Mauna Ulu eruption (1969-1974), a 3.5 month pause occurred in late 1971.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will continue to closely monitor Kīlauea’s seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions for any sign of reactivation, and maintain visual surveillance of the summit and LERZ. HVO will continue to issue daily updates and additional messages as needed.

The next status report will be issued tomorrow morning unless significant changes occur, USGS said.

UPDATE: At 4:09 p.m. on Thursday, Hawai‘i County Civil Defense issued what they said would be their final daily Kilauea Eruption Update unless activity significantly changes. In the message, the officials reiterated the points made by the USGS, saying that “it is common for eruptions to go through periods of diminished output, or to pause completely, only to reactivate days, weeks, or even months later.”

“Re-activation could occur at any time, with little to no warning,” civil defense said.

The county also stated that the following access policies and restrictions are in effect:

• The entire flow field, including all fissures and lava features, is extremely dangerous and remains off limits.
• Highway 137 roadblock near MacKenzie State Park and Highway 132 roadblock between Nanawale and Lava Tree State Park remains closed to the public.
• Properties not destroyed, but isolated by lava on E. Pohoiki Road, Malama Ki Place, Halekamahina Road, and E. Pahoa-Kapoho Road are accessible to residents with Civil Defense authorization only.
• Leilani Estates access is limited to residents. A Civil Defense Access Placard is required to enter Leilani Estates. Property on, and east of Pomaikai Street is in the mandatory evacuation area. For access to this area, residents must make an appointment with Civil Defense for an escort.
• Access to Papaya Farms Road, Noni Farms Road, Railroad Avenue, the Mail Box area, and Cinder Road is limited to residents. A Civil Defense Access Placard is required for these areas.
• Placards are available Monday through Friday at the Civil Defense office in Hilo, located at 920 Ululani Street from 8 AM to 4 PM.