This news story will be updated throughout the day as new information becomes available and new articles will be added to the website’s “News” section. Previous information about ongoing events can be found in Big Island Now’s “Volcano Blog” section.
CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE LAVA MAP FOR JULY 15, 2018
Sunday, July 15, 2018, 6 p.m.: Lava Half-Mile From Pohoiki
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that Fissure 8 continues to erupt lava into the channel heading northeast toward Kapoho. The south margin of the flow near the ocean entry remains unchanged and is approximately .5 miles from Isaac Hale Park/Pohoiki Boat Ramp.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are possible this evening in Kona and the Puna Districts.
Laze plume rises where lava pours into the sea on the south margin of the Fissure 8 flow. This southern boundary did not change location appreciably in the past day, remaining about .56 miles from the boat ramp at Isaac Hale Park on July 15, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS
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The following policies remain in effect:
Be aware that spill overs of the channel and other breakouts are possible on the active flow field.
Do not access the active flow field due to extreme hazard.
Remain alert for changing weather conditions and possible flooding conditions.
Disaster assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawai‘i County that have been affected by the Kīlauea eruption.
The Disaster Recovery Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, and is located at the Kea‘au High School Gym. If you need a ride, buses run between the two shelters and the Disaster Recovery Center.
Placards will be available from Monday, July 16, 2018, at the Civil Defense office located at 920 Ululani St. in Hilo.
2 p.m.: New Thermal Map Released
This thermal map shows the Fissure 8 flow as of 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 14.
Thermal map of the East Rift Zone taken on July 14, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS
Only the lower portion of the flow is shown—the upper portion was not imaged today due to weather. The fountain at Fissure 8 remains active, with the lava flow entering the ocean at numerous points in Kapoho. The channel overflow from July 9 and 10 created a new lobe that has reached the ocean at Ahalanui Park, creating a robust ocean entry plume. The black and white area is the extent of the thermal map. Temperature in the thermal image is displayed as gray-scale values, with the brightest pixels indicating the hottest areas. The thermal map was constructed by stitching many overlapping oblique thermal images collected by a handheld thermal camera during a helicopter overflight of the flow field. The base is a copyrighted color satellite image (used with permission) provided by Digital Globe.
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Fissure 8 continues to erupt lava into the perched channel leading northeastward from the vent. Lava levels in the upper channel increased briefly following this morning’s summit collapse-explosion event at 3:26 a.m.
Another short-lived overflow of the channel at the vent spread east-southeast this morning, but did not advance beyond the existing flow field. The channelized ʻaʻā flow west of Kapoho Crater continues to be the main ocean entry at the southern edge of the flow front.
The southern margin of the flow remained about .6 miles from Isaac Hale Park this morning. Despite no visible surface connection to the fissure 8 channel, lava continues to ooze out at several points on the 3.7-mile-wide flow front into the ocean.
Early morning view of fissure 8 and lava channel looking toward the east. Laze plume from the ocean entry is visible in distance (left of the fissure 8 plume). Geologists did not observe activity from any of the other fissures during this morning’s overflight. PC: USGS
Sunday, July 15, 2018, 6 a.m.: No Tsunami From 5.4-M Crater Collapse Event
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that Fissure 8 continues to erupt lava into the perched channel heading northeast from the vent toward Kapoho.
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A collapse/explosive event with energy equal to a 5.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at 3:26 a.m.
3:35 a.m.: No Tsunami From 5.4-M Crater Collapse Event
Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory reports a collapse/explosive event with energy equal to a 5.4-magnitude earthquake has occurred at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at 3:26 a.m.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports there is no tsunami threat to the Island of Hawai‘i.
Due to the volcanic activity, the following is provided for your awareness:
Residents in the area affected by earthquakes are advised to monitor utility connections of gas, electricity, and water after earthquakes.
When driving be on the lookout for cracks in roadways.
If ash is observed stay indoors or seek cover.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are possible in Kona and the Puna District through this evening.
The following policies remain in effect:
Be aware that spill overs of the flow channel and other breakouts are possible on the active flow field, do not access the active flow field due to extreme hazard.
Remain alert for changing weather conditions and possible flooding conditions.
Disaster assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawai‘i County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.
3:29 a.m.: NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED
NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI
A SEISMIC EVENT HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE SUMMIT OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO.
THE EVENT IS LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A SUMMIT ERUPTION.
ITS PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS ARE:
ORIGIN TIME – 0326 AM HST 15 JUL 2018
COORDINATES – 19.4 NORTH 155.3 WEST
LOCATION – IN THE SUMMIT REGION OF KILAUEA VOLCANO
MAGNITUDE – 5.4
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