A breakout from the June 27 lava flow that is now 2.7 miles upslope of Apaa Street in Pahoa, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported Saturday. ADVERTISING A breakout from the June 27 lava flow that is now 2.7 miles upslope
A breakout from the June 27 lava flow that is now 2.7 miles upslope of Apaa Street in Pahoa, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported Saturday.
An overflight Saturday morning showed that the upslope breakouts remain active with surface breakouts and breakouts along the edges of the original lava flow pad, according to Civil Defense. The most active breakout, which was also the closest to Apaa Street, was located along the north side of the flow pad and moving toward the north-northeast.
The United States Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the breakout has traveled about 275 yards per day during the past several days.
As of Saturday morning, the breakout did not pose an immediate threat to area communities, according to Civil Defense.
Smoke conditions were reported as moderate to heavy with all smoke from burning vegetation being blown in a southeast direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take precautions and to remain indoors.
An evacuation notice for those living in the immediate threat of the flow has been lifted. While residents are no longer on notice, residents are urged to remain vigilant.
The county is also continuing to meet with area stakeholders about opening a public viewing and educational site near the Pahoa Transfer Station on Apaa Street, Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said Wednesday. The next stakeholders meeting is slated for Dec. 3.
“We are working very hard on trying to provide for a managed observation viewing or site seeing up near the transfer station in an environment that would allow us to put a lot of the infrastructure to support viewing or sight seeing as well as some education opportunities,” he said.
Breakouts in the vicinity of Apaa Street that stalled earlier this month remain at a standstill, as does the June 27 lava flow’s leading edge, which has not advanced since Oct. 30 when it came within 480 feet of Pahoa Village Road.
Scientists have said the halt is likely the result of a large breakout from the lava tube at Kahaualea, a small forested puu located about 1.1 mile below Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent, that affected the supply of lava to the tube downslope. The breakout occurred as Kilauea appeared to return to the inflation period of the inflation-deflation cycle. Inflation begins when magma rises into the summit reservoir.
