Hawai’i County Civil Defense’s Thursday morning overflight shows that the June 27 lava flow front and breakout on the south margin remain stalled. The flow is currently 0.5 miles from the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection and has shown no movement for nearly a week.
Civil Defense made note of surface activity that continues 300 yards upslope from the stalled flow front. The two breakouts that have been active and advancing along the north margin about 1-1.5 miles upslope from the flow front have advanced about 50 yards since Wednesday and continue to travel in a north-northeast direction.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Wednesday that the two-fingered flow had entered a drainage area that would lead it to the steepest-descent path that could take the flow toward Highway 130, 0.6 miles south of Maku’u Farmer’s Market. HVO also made note Wednesday in a media briefing that the distance of the flow and its slow pace do not make this an immediate or certain danger.
Additional breakouts and activity continue along both the north and south margins in upslope areas, but according to Civil Defense, the activity in these areas does not pose any current threat to area communities.
Civil Defense, along with HVO personnel, will continue their observations of the flow and continue to keep the community informed.
Beginning Friday, the Pahoa Transfer station viewing area will have modified hours. Hours of operation will change to adjust to the peak hours of visitation, according to Civil Defense. The new hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
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Additionally, the Railroad Avenue access road was closed on Wednesday at no one and will remain closed until the road is needed.
The next lava flow community meeting will be held Thursday evening at the Pahoa High School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.
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This photo, taken on Jan. 7, shows the distal tip of the flow that’s stalled, with several spots of activity along the flow’s perimeter and within the flow field. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7, shows clear skies over Pu‘u ‘O‘o crater with approaching clouds in the distance, blowing in from the north. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.
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This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows continued activity in the general vicinity of the old geothermal pad. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.
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This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows the new northern lobe that remains active. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows the new northern lobe that remains active. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows a breakout consuming fallen trees near the old geothermal pad. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/ Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows a vigorous outbreak that consumed trees near the old geothermal pad. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/ Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows the leading edge of the new northern lobe as it continues to advance into vegetation. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/ Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows a breakout spilling lava onto the middle of the flow field in the area above Malama Market. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/ Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 7 shows molten lava that began ponding in this little area as it upwelled from beneath. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/ Paradise Helicopters.
This photo, taken on Jan. 6 shows various breakouts and activity points that continue to occur along the north and south margins of the June 27 lava flow. HVO image.
This photo, taken on Jan. 6 shows a closer view of the narrow north-northeast advancing lobe that remains upslope from the Pahoa Marketplace. HVO photo.
The view in this photo, taken on Jan. 6 is looking to the north-east, the distal part of the flow, with the flow lobe behind Pahoa Marketplace to the right and the newer north-northeast advancing lobe to the left. HVO photo.
This image, taken on Jan. 6 shows a comparison of a normal photograph with a thermal image of the flow front. The white box shows the rough extent of the thermal image. White and yellow pixels in the thermal image show areas of active breakouts. HVO photo.
Hawai’i County Civil Defense lava flow map, as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. Civil Defense image.
Hawai’i County Civil Defense lava flow map, as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. Civil Defense image.
Hawai’i County Civil Defense lava flow map, as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. Civil Defense photo.
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