June 27 Lava Flow Update – 12/12/14

The active flow front of the June 27 lava flow remains about 1.8 miles upslope of the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection and has advanced about 350 yards since Thursday.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense’s Friday morning overflight showed that the flow continues to move in a north-northeast direction.

According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Friday morning release, the flow path continues to follow a path of steepest-decent, and if it continues on this path, the flow will reach the area of the Pahoa Marketplace.

In addition to the active flow front, HVO and Civil Defense officials have been watching a breakout from the lava tube on Dec. 5. That particular breakout is about 1.6 miles from Puʻu ʻŌʻō and remains weakly active. At the present time, the breakout is about 0.6 miles long and has widened the flow field in the area by about 220 yards.

Activity in the area is not currently posing an immediate threat to the surrounding community, however Civil Defense, along with HVO personnel, will continue to maintain close observations of the flow and keep residents in downslope areas informed.

Civil Defense reported light smoke conditions in the immediate area Friday morning and accredited the burning to vegetation. The smoke from the vegetation is being blown in a west direction as a light wind is blowing out of the east. These conditions have the possible of increasing in some areas.

Residents who have previous health conditions that may be sensitive to the smoke are advised to take necessary precautions and stay indoors.

HVO officials also noted Friday morning that the tilt trend at Puʻu ʻŌʻō has leveled off for the time being, and that all other monitoring data indicates no significant changes at Puʻu ʻŌʻō.

Pahoa Village Road continues to remain open, and motorists are advised to use extra care in the area as protection material continues to cover some utility poles along the road.

Additionally, officials ask the public to respect the privacy of residents in the area who were affected by the lava flow and reiterate that trespassing onto private property is not permitted.