2:00 P.M. UPDATE: Kīlauea Erupts

UPDATE: May 17, 2:00 p.m.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island’s Pahala and Pahoa Clubs will be closed for the remainder of the public school year due to the daily unstable air quality as well as the recent roadway cracks.

If you have questions, please contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office at (808) 961-5536.

The U.S. Geological Survey took this photo at 7:45 a.m. of the view of Halema‘uma‘u crater from the visitor viewing area in front of the Jaggar Muesum, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Note the contrast of the plume rising from the Overlook vent this morning (background) with the eruption column that erupted during explosive activity in May 1924 (middle photograph on sign). Click to enlarge (USGS Photo)

A light coating of ash on the Park’s interpretative sign resulted from ash falling to the ground from explosive events of the past day.

UPDATE: May 17, 12:01 p.m.

Elevated SO2 levels remain a concern for residents throughout Puna, Pāhoa and areas downwind of the summit.

Due to the continued volcanic gas emission in the East Rift Zone, please be advised the following policies are in effect:

• Volcanic gas, such as SO2, is especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies and people with respiratory problems.

• People in areas downwind of rifts may intermittently experience ORANGE and RED air quality conditions today.

• Air Quality Condition BLUE means little or no risk to healthy people.  Those with breathing issues may feel some small effects and should avoid exposure.

• Air Quality Condition ORANGE means people with breathing problems may experience some health effects and should avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors.  The general public may experience minor breathing issues.

• Air Quality Condition RED means severe and immediate danger to health so everyone should limit further exposure.  This includes remaining indoors and/or leaving the area.  These conditions may cause symptoms such as eye and nose irritation, choking and inability to breath.

UPDATE: May 17, 11:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service reports that occasional small bursts of volcanic ash may emanate from Halema‘uma‘u Crater. These bursts may be brief and could occur at multiple times.

Low level winds would tend to push any ash clouds toward west and west-southwest. Most ash fallout would remain mainly over rural areas and Highway 11 to the southwest of the town of Volcano.

Avoid excessive exposure to ash which is an eye and respiratory irritant. Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure.

For more information on the status of Kīlauea Volcano, please see
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

For health and safety recommendations, please visit the Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at https://vog.ivhhn.org

UPDATE: May 17, 11:00 a.m. 

Here are the latest updates regarding the impact to mail delivery of the Kīlauea Volcano eruption in the Puna region of Hawai‘i island:

Due to air quality concerns, the Pāhoa Post Office is closed for business today, Thursday, May 17. This closure encompasses mail delivery as well as retail operations. The office will reopen and delivery will resume when conditions permit. This closure will be reevaluated on a day-to-day basis.

• The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Post Office also remains closed due to the possibility of an explosive steam event and ash fall at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Customers of this office can pick up their mail at the Volcano Post Office at 19-4030 Old Volcano Hwy.

UPDATE: May 17, 10:30 a.m.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has advised of an explosive eruption at Kīlauea summit that occurred at 4:17 in the morning.  The eruption was short-lived with trace amounts of ashfall.  A sizeable ash plume was generated and may have affected surrounding areas.

Due to the continued ash activity at Halema‘uma‘u, please be advised the following policies are in effect:

• The danger from this eruption is ash fallout.  The major response is to protect yourself from fallout. 
• If you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed.  Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities.  
• If you are in your car, keep the windows closed.  Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions.  Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.
• After the hazard is passed, check your home if safe to do so, and especially your catchment system, for any impact that may affect your water quality.

To protect yourself from breathing volcanic ash, free masks will be distributed as follows: 

Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Cooper Center, Volcano
• Pahala Community Center, Pahala
• Na‘alehu Community Center, Na‘alehu 
• Shipman Park Pavilion, Kea‘au

One mask per family member will help to assure that supplies are adequate to accommodate all our ‘Ohana.   Masks do NOT protect against gases and vapors.  They will only provide filtering for ash. Mahalo 3M for the donation of masks, the Red Cross for distribution support and Community Emergency Response Teams.

The residents of Puna are going through a very difficult time.

UPDATE: May 17, 9:25 a.m.

To protect yourself from breathing volcanic ash, free N95 masks will be distributed as follows:

Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Cooper Center, Volcano
• Pahala Community Center, Pahala
• Na‘alehu Community Center, Naalehu 
• Shipman Park Pavilion, Kea‘au

One mask per family member will help to assure that supplies are adequate to accommodate all our ohana.

N95 masks do NOT protect against gases and vapors.

Mahalo 3M for the donation of masks, Red Cross for distribution support and Community Emergency Response Teams

UPDATE: May 17, 7:25 a.m.

Due to elevated sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels, Pāhoa High, Intermediate, and Elementary School Complex, Keonepoko Elementary, Hawai‘i Academy of Arts and Science, and Volcano School of Arts and Science will be closed.

UPDATE: May 17, 6:24 a.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the eruption occurred at 4:17 a.m, Thursday, May 17, 2018.  The wind my carry the ash plume towards Ka‘ū, Volcano, Mt. View, Kea‘au and as far as Hilo.

Should this occur, the following are advised:

• The danger from this eruption is ash fallout. The major response is to protect yourself from fallout.
• If this event occurs while you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed.
• Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities.
• If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.
• After the hazard has passed, do check your home, and especially your catchment system for any impact that may affect your water quality.

ORIGINAL POST:

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that an explosive eruption at Kīlauea’s Summit has occurred.

The resulting ash plume will cover the surrounding area.

The wind will carry the plume toward the southeast. Driving conditions may be dangerous so if you are driving pull off the road and wait until visibility improves.

Shelter in place if you are in path of the ash plume.