Officials: Downslope areas of June 27 lava flow remain quiet

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Activity continues to wane in the downslope areas of the June 27 lava flow.

Activity continues to wane in the downslope areas of the June 27 lava flow.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reports Monday morning “very little activity” between the flow’s stalled leading edge, located less than a mile above Pahoa, and about 8 miles upslope toward Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent.

The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said that breakouts were concentrated on the upper 4 miles of Kilauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow. Kilauea also continued to host a lava lake at its summit.

Scientists said that the flow continues to feed breakouts in three areas northeast of Puu Oo. The Feb. 21 breakout on the flank of Puu Oo is spreading and the March 9 breakout has reached the forested cone of Kahaualea. The third breakout, located about 3 miles farther northeast of the vent, appeared relatively small.

None of the activity poses an immediate threat to area communities, however, Civil Defense said.

“The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are maintaining close observations of the flow and residents and businesses down slope will be informed of any changes in flow activity and advancement,” Civil Defense said in its Monday eruption and lava flow update.

Smoke and vog conditions were reported as light to moderate Monday morning with a light west wind blowing the smoke and vog in a east direction, Civil Defense said.