Kilauea explosion described as ‘a real dynamic situation’

HILO — A U.S. Geological Survey geologist described the explosion at 4:17 a.m. today at Halema‘uma‘u crater on Kilauea’s summit “a big event that got people’s attention but not with widespread impact.”

“There was a short-lived explosion but a pretty powerful one, put a cloud up to 30,000 feet above sea level,” said Michelle Coombs. “This cloud was short-lived, though. It went up high, but because the duration of the event was pretty short … ashfall was pretty localized — Volcano village area, (Hawaii Volcanoes) National Park, trace amounts of ash in that area.

“This is the kind of event that we’d been expecting might happen at Halema‘uma‘u, based on interaction of the dropping lava levels with ground waters.”

Coombs said ash emissions continue “at a lower level, about 12,000 feet above sea level.”

“We may have additional, larger events, more powerful events, kind of like what we saw earlier this morning. … We could expect similar events as these kinds of interactions with the lava and the ground water continue,” she said.

There have been no reports yet of any potential property damage from this morning’s explosive eruption.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volcanologist Jim Kauahikaua said that in lower Puna, there’s “a big (sulfur dioxide gas) issue in the lower East rift zone.”

“Fissure 17 is still spattering. However, the lava flow has not advanced significantly,” Kauahikaua said. “It’s still oozing at the front. There are small pads of what looks like very pasty pahoehoe coming out. … Some fissures are still incandescent. There are booming sounds coming from other fissures other than 17, and copious amounts of gas are coming out, and they’re all kind of sitting in that area due to weak winds.”

Fenix Grange of the state Department of Health said 10 new air quality monitors have been installed “circling the rift areas.”

“What we’re seeing out there is there are increasing levels of sulfur dioxide in various areas. That’s the reasons for the alerts and for the school closures in Pahoa,” Grange said. “These conditions can change quickly, so it’s important that people pay attention, especially those people who may have breathing issues need to be taking cover or leaving areas. … staying inside is good.”

Grange said that briefly, at about 6:45 a.m., there was a reading of “condition red” at a monitor at Pahoa Fire Station. Condition red means there is at least 1 part per million of sulfur dioxide in the air. The reading at the Pahoa Fire Station was reportedly 2.7 parts per million.

The elevated sulfur dioxide levels has caused the closure of Pahoa High and Intermediate School, Pahoa Elementary School, Keonepoko Elementary School, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science, Volcano School of Arts and Science and Na Wai Ola Public Charter School.

The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall advisory until noon. The ash plume will cover surrounding areas and the wind may carry the ash plume toward Ka‘u, Volcano, Mountain View, Keaau and as far as Hilo.

Hawaii County Civil Defense advises residents to protect themselves from ash fallout. Those indoors are advised to stay indoors, close their doors, turn on the radio and listen for updates from authorities.

To protect yourself from breathing volcanic ash, free masks will be distributed from 1 to 7 p.m. today at Cooper Center in Volcano; Pahala Community Center in Pahala; Naalehu Community Center in Naalehu; and Shipman Park Pavilion in Keaau.

Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution or pull over and park.

After the hazard has passed, residents are advised to check their home and catchment system for any impact on water quality.

Coombs described the events at Halema‘uma‘u as “a real dynamic situation.

“We could have additional events like this morning that punch up then die down really quickly, we could have more sustained ash coming out of Halema‘uma‘u,” she said. “The one this morning is definitely the biggest we’ve seen so far, just in terms of energy and how high up into the atmosphere it got.”

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.