June 27 Lava Flow Update – 12/27/14

After being stalled for nearly five days, the June 27 lava flow is back on the move Saturday morning.

According to Hawai’i County Civil Defense’s morning overflight, the flow front that stalled on Monday, Dec. 22 has advanced about 15 yards since Friday afternoon.

Currently, the front edge of the flow remains approximately 0.6 miles upslope from the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection and about 700 yards from the Pahoa Marketplace.

The flow is sluggish and narrow, measuring only about 25 yards wide.

Other surface breakouts and activity along both the south and north margins of the flow continue, but none of the activity poses an immediate threat to the surrounding community. Both Civil Defense and personnel with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are keeping a close eye on the activity and residents and businesses down slope will continue to be kept informed.

Civil Defense noted Saturday morning that smoke and vog conditions were moderate to heavy as a light variable wind is causing the smoke and vog to settle across eastern areas of the Big Island, from Puna through Hilo.

There is a possibility of these conditions increasing and individuals who are sensitive or have prior respiratory issues are advised to take necessary precautions and remain indoors.

Railroad Avenue remains open to motorists who want to familiarize themselves with the road and traffic flow. Drivers are advised to stay on the designated route and comply with the posted speed limit of 20 mph.

Highway 130 remains open and there is no anticipated closure of the road at this time.

This satellite image was captured on Dec. 25, by the Advanced Land Imager instrument onboard NASA’s Earth Observing 1 satellite. HVO image.

This satellite image was captured on Dec. 25, by the Advanced Land Imager instrument onboard NASA’s Earth Observing 1 satellite. HVO image.