June 27 Lava Flow Update – 12/16/14

Hawai’i County Civil Defense’s Tuesday morning June 27 lava flow assessment shows that the flow front continues to be active.

In the past 24 hours, the flow has advanced about 275 yards. The front is currently 1 mile upslope of the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road Intersection.

According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the flow continues to follow a steepest-descent path that will take the flow towards the Pahoa Marketplace vicinity.

At the present time, the flow activity is not posing an immediate threat to communities in the area.

Businesses in the Pahoa Marketplace may begin to take necessary precautions and steps to prepare for a possible evacuation of the area. During this time, motorists driving in the area are asked to use extra caution as preparations could cause increased traffic and large vehicles in the area.

The breakout from the lava tube on Dec. 5 also continues to be monitored by Civil Defense and HVO personnel. Currently, that lobe is about 1.6 miles from Puʻu ʻŌʻō and remains weakly active.

Civil Defense reported moderate smoke conditions Tuesday morning in the immediate areas, as a light north wind is blowing smoke in a south-southeast direction.

As usual, smoke conditions have the possibility of increasing in some area, and officials advise that individuals who may have a history of respiratory issues take necessary precautions and remain indoors.

HVO reported Tuesday that the tilt tend at Puʻu ʻŌʻō has shown a slight decrease. Other monitoring data indicates no significant changes at Puʻu ʻŌʻō.

At the summit, after a slight decrease in tilt, inflationary tilt began at 4 a.m. Tuesday. According to officials, the summit lava lake showed the usual fluctuation associated with changes in spattering behavior, which is also manifested as variation in tremor amplitudes.

The next lava flow community update meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria.

Civil Defense, along with HVO personnel, are maintaining a close watch over the flow. Residents and businesses in the downslope area of the flow path will continue to be kept informed as things progress.