June 27 Lava Flow Update – 11/10/14

The June 27 lava flow front has remained stalled for over a week and continues to show very little activity.

However, activity upslope remains active and is showing movement.

A breakout near Apa’a Street shows the largest amount of activity, having entered a residential private property Monday morning.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense said Monday morning that the advancing breakout is about five yards from the garage area of the structure and that it is possible that the buildings on this particular property could be affected by the flow later in the day.

Scientists with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noted that on Sunday morning, a breakout just above Apa’a Street sent lava across the road, along the north margin of the existing flow.

Sunday evening, HVO described that the flow had split into three separate lobes, one of which was moving along the existing flow towards the cemetery. Another was moving down the road towards the transfer stations. The third lobe was moving towards an abandoned set of buildings across the street from the transfer station.

Sunday afternoon, one of the lobes, the one along the road, had come in contact with a cinder pile surrounding a newly installed metal power pole.

Moderate to heavy smoke conditions are reported in the area with light trade winds blowing the smoke in a south-southwest direction towards Leilani and lower Puna areas. There is a chance that smoke conditions may increase and residents down wind who have a history of respiratory issues should take necessary precautions.

Residents down slope of the flow remain on an evacuation advisory and will continue to be kept informed on the flow status and advancement.

Additionally, Pahoa Village Road between Apa’a Street and the Post Office Road remains closed.

Around the clock operations continue for Civil Defense and public safety personnel to maintain a careful watch of the flow and to ensure public safety.