Big Island resident TK Wehrsig places an offering for Pele at the freshly cooled lava from Fissure 8 at the now deadend of Government Beach Road on June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
This news story will be updated throughout the day as new information becomes available and new articles will be added to the website’s “News” section. Previous information about ongoing events can be found in Big Island Now’s “Volcano Blog” section
Spec. Nicolai Banez and Spec. Thayde Abis check the air for SO2 and H2S on Luana Street in Leilani Estates on June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
Spec. Nicolai Banez and Spec. Thayde Abis are members of a special unit in the Hawaii National Guard. The unit is called the CERFP (the C stands for CBRNE- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive) Emergency Response Force Package. It is made up of both Airman and Soldiers who specializes in Decontamination/Detection, mass medical response, and search and rescue. They are assisting first responders and other Hawaii National Guard elements with SO2 and H2S levels. They are the HING’s subject matter experts with chemicals. PC: Crystal Richard
There is no immediate threat. Only act on information obtained from agencies responsible for monitoring the volcano.
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3 p.m.: Residents should respond to official information only
Civil Defense authorities are advising people that official sources of information regarding the current East Rift Zone Eruption are obtained from agencies responsible for monitoring the volcano. Be aware of posters who speculate on the movement of active lava flows. This information has not been supported by official observations.
Radio messages from the Hawai‘i Civil Defense Agency, along with information on official government websites and social media platforms will continue to relay accurate and current eruption information.
Civil Defense encourages you to only act on officially released information.
Radio messages from the Hawai‘i Civil Defense Agency, along with information on official government websites and social media platforms will continue to relay accurate and current eruption information. Civil Defense encourages you to only act on officially released information. PC: Crystal Richard
There is no immediate threat at this time.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor the eruption and works hand-in-hand with the Hawai‘i Civil Defense Agency to provide updates.
You will be notified of any changes that will affect your safety.
Noon
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports an explosive event at Halemaumau Crater at 10:22 this morning. The explosion had the energy of a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. Fissure 8 in the lower East Rift Zone remains very active with 170 foot tall lava fountains. This activity means volcanic gas emissions remain very high. Winds are expected to continue to bring VOG to the central, southern and western parts of Hawai‘i Island.
Fissure 8 from Pohoiki Road on June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Major Jeff Hickman greets Command Chief Master Sgt. William Parker (center), Lt. Col. David Hatcher (left), Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara (right), on Pohoki Road at 1:35 p.m. on June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
Hawaii National Guard Brigadier General Kenneth S. Hara (front left), eruption task force commander stopped to check the eruption activity from Pohoiki Road. Spec. Nicolai Banex (right front) monitors the air for Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfide while escorting Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara,
Hawaii National Guard Brigadier General Kenneth S. Hara (front left), eruption task force commander stopped to check the eruption activity from Pohoiki Road. Spec. Nicolai Banex (right front) monitors the air for Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfide while escorting Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara, Major Jeff Hickman (front right) and Lt. Col. David Hatcher (front left) to a vantage point of Fissure 8 at 1:39 p.m. on June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Fountain and cone at Fissure 8 on Pohoiki Road on June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
At Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, inward slumping of the rim and walls of Halema‘uma‘u continues in response to ongoing subsidence. In this view to the southwest taken after this morning’s event, a section of dark-colored wall rock (center left) has detached and dropped downward into the crater. USGS photo
Pohoiki Road on May 28, June 2 and June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Pohoiki Road on May 28, June 2 and June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Pohoiki Road on May 28, June 2 and June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Pohoiki Road on May 28, June 2 and June 16, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Due to the hazardous air quality conditions, the following guidance is given:
Continue to be alert and aware of the air quality conditions around you. Limit outside activities and if you have breathing problems please stay indoors.
Areas downwind of Kilauea will be affected by ash. This includes Volcano and Kau.
Residents of Hawai‘i County who suffered damage or losses from the recent eruption and earthquakes, can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The following is provided for your information:
The Disaster Recovery Center or DRC, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is located at the Kea‘au High School Gym.
Please note this change: shuttle buses will be running between the two shelters and the DRC from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The shuttles run every 20 minutes from the Keaau Armory, and every hour from the Pāhoa Community Center shelter. The full bus schedule can be found on the Civil Defense Website at HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts.
For a list of the information you need to bring with you to the DRC, or if you want to register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Saturday, June 16, 2018, 9 a.m.: Fissure 16 reactivating
Fissure 16 is oozing lava and is being monitored closely.
Lava now covers 5,914 acres or an area of 9.25 square miles.
There have been 467 homes destroyed.
6 a.m.: Vog to reach Hilo & Kona
Offering to Pele placed on the freshly cooled lava from Fissure 8 at the end of Government Beach Road, on June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the eruption activity continues at Fissure 8 in the Lower East Rift Zone.
Lava is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume.
The National Weather Service reports heavy vog is blanketing the interior and southern parts of the island, impacting Hilo and wrapping around to Kona through the weekend.
Due to the hazardous air quality conditions, the following guidance is given.
Do continue to be on the alert for air quality conditions around you. Limit outside activities and stay indoors if you have breathing issues.
You can monitor the latest air quality measurements through the University of Hawai‘i’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project linked through the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency website.
Residents of Hawai‘i County who suffered damage or losses from the recent Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes, can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The following is provided for your information:
The Disaster Recovery Center or DRC is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at the Kea‘au High School Gym.
A river of lava flows from Kapoho cinder pits; the glow starting to form marks the location of Fissure 8, June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
The glow starting to form marks the location of Fissure 8, June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
A river of lava is located just off Government Beach Road at the Kapoho cinder pits, June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
A river of lava is located just off Government Beach Road at the Kapoho cinder pits, June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
A river of lava is located just off Government Beach Road at the Kapoho cinder pits, June 15, 2018. PC: Crystal Richard
Shuttle buses will be running between the two shelters and the DRC from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The shuttles run every 20 minutes from the Keaau Armory, and every hour from the Pahoa Community Center shelter. The full bus schedule can be found below and online.
For a list of the information you need to bring with you to the DRC, or if you want to register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Shuttle Bus Schedule 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Route 1 – Kea‘au Armory and Kea‘au High School Parking Lot to Keaa‘u High School Gym, continuous shuttle every 20 mins
7:30 a.m. Kea‘au Armory 7:35 a.m. Kea‘au High School Parking Lot 7:40 a.m. Kea‘au High School Gym 7:45 a.m. Parking Lot 7:50 a.m. Armory 7:55 a.m. Parking Lot 8 a.m. Gym 8:05 a.m. Parking Lot 8:10 a.m. Armory Continuous until 9 p.m.
Route 2 – Pāhoa Community Center to Keaau High School Gym Continuous shuttle every hour 7:30 a.m. Pāhoa Gym 7:35 a.m. Pāhoa Community Center 8 a.m. Kea‘au High School Gym 8:30 a.m. Pāhoa Gym 8:35 a.m. Pāhoa Community Center 9 a.m. Kea‘au High School Gym Continuous until 9 p.m.
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