Lava flow breakout advances 40 yards

A small breakout on the south margin of the June 27 lava flow is now 0.7 mile of Highway 130 in Pahoa, Hawaii County Civil Defense reports.

The breakout, described as “sluggish” widened and advanced about 40 yards between Monday and Tuesday after failing to edge downslope Sunday and Monday, Civil Defense officials said following their Tuesday morning helicopter overflight of the flow. It advanced 200 yards between Saturday and Sunday.

Its leading edge was located about 0.7 mile upslope or west of the highway, according to Civil Defense.

Numerous small breakouts also continued along the June 27 lava flow’s surface and margins extending from just above the stalled flow fronts to the Kilauea Volcano summit area.

“The surface breakouts along the length of the flow pad continues to provide an indication that the tube system is being supplied and lava from the source is making its way to the down slope areas,” officials iterated Tuesday.

All current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities, however, Civil Defense said.

The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said that the stalled tip of the June 27 lava flow remains inactive about 550 yards upslope of Highway 130 in the vicinity of the Pahoa Fire and Police stations. The breakout on the south side of the flow front lobe, located about 0.5 mile from Malama Market was showing signs of widening but not advancing.

Activity also continued on the north flank of Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent. West of Kaohe, scattered breakouts also persist as does a breakout about 2 miles northeast of the vent near the forest boundary, according to the observatory.

Smoke conditions Tuesday morning were reported to be light with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and individuals who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.