KAILUA—KONA — The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption on Kilauea volcano’s lower East Rift Zone continues with little change as of Tuesday morning.
Fissure 8 lava fountains showered spatter onto the cone overnight and continued to feed lava into the well-established channel that flows to the ocean at Kapoho, HVO said. Small overflows were observed on the north side of the channel near Pohoiki Road overnight and this morning, with one breakout spreading slowly beyond the flow boundary.
In addition, Fissure 6 was mildly spattering during the morning overflight.
The size and shape of the flow field is virtually unchanged upslope, but an additional 120 acres have been added to the western margin of the flow in the coastal area since June 15, according to HVO. The overall width of the flow boundary at the coast is about 1.5 miles across.
As of Tuesday morning, lava was entering the ocean at two entries at the southern part of the entry area, creating laze plumes that were blown southward along the shoreline.
At 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, scientists said another gas and ash emission from a small subsurface explosion occurred at Kilauea’s summit, producing a plume that was blown downwind at about 5,000 feet above ground level.
Inward slumping of the rim and walls of Halemaʻumaʻu continues in response to ongoing subsidence at the summit, HVO said.
The National Weather Service reports that today through Thursday light winds are expected to push vog into the saddle and interior areas of Hawaii Island. Trade winds are predicted to return on Friday.
Numerous resources continue to be available to residents of Hawaii County who sustained damage or losses from the Kilauea volcanic eruption and recent earthquakes.
As of Monday afternoon, 817 people had registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance either on line or at the Disaster Recovery Center or DRC.
The DRC, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is located at the Keaau High School Gym.
There will be a community meeting at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria today at 5 p.m. An American Sign Language interpreter will be on hand.
