4:45 PM: Collapse Event at Crater, No Tsunami Generated

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.

KĪLAUEA SUMMIT LIVESTREAM LINK

CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE LAVA MAP FOR JULY 19, 2018

Thursday, July 19, 2018, 4:45 p.m.: Collapse Event at Crater, No Tsunami Generated

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports a collapse event with energy equal to a 5.4 magnitude earthquake has occurred at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at 4:36 pm.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports there is no tsunami threat to the island of Hawai‘i.

ITS PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS ARE

ORIGIN TIME – 0433 PM HST 19 JUL 2018
COORDINATES – 19.4 NORTH 155.3 WEST
LOCATION – IN THE SUMMIT REGION OF KILAUEA VOLCANO
MAGNITUDE – 5.4

Due to the volcanic activity, the following is provided for your awareness:

• Residents in the area affected by earthquakes are advised to monitor utility connections of gas, electricity, and water after earthquakes.
• Be on the lookout for road cracks while driving.
• If ash is observed, stay indoors or seek cover.

Again, there is NO Tsunami Threat to the island of Hawai‘i.

Thursday, July 19, 2018, 4 p.m.: New Map Released

Map as of 12 noon, July 19, 2018.

USGS Map released on July 19, 2018. PC: USGS

Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960 and 2014-2015.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that eruption activity continues from Fissure 8 into the perched channel, supplying lava flows to the ocean at Ahalanui. Lava is entering the ocean and producing a large laze plume. The southern margin of the flow is 0.3 miles from Isaac Hale/Pohoiki boat ramp.

There will be a community meeting for the Ka‘ū District at the Pahala Community Center at 6 p.m. this evening to discuss the ongoing event at Kilauea.

The following policies remain in effect:

• When driving, be alert for cracks and damage to roadways from earthquakes.
• Check all utility connections of water, gas, and electricity for potential damage from earthquake activity.
• Do not access the active flow field due to extreme hazard. Be aware that channel overflows and other breakouts are possible on the active flow field.
• The ocean entry continues to produce a “laze” plume. Take precautions and stay out of the plume to avoid exposure to hydrochloric acid and glass particles, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Disaster assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawaii County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.

• The Disaster Recovery Center, located at the Kea‘au High School Gym, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. If you need a ride, buses run between the two shelters and the Disaster Recovery Center.
• Visit online for a list of information to bring to the DRC, or to register online.
• Access placards are available at the Civil Defense office located at 920 Ululani St. in Hilo.
• The latest air quality measurements from the University of Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project can be found here.

Fissure 8 continues to erupt lava into the perched channel leading northeastward from the vent. Lava levels in the channel appeared a bit low this morning and there were no overflows noted. The southern margin of the flow is about 0.3 mi from the boat ramp at Isaac Hale Park this morning. Despite no visible surface connection to the Fissure 8 channel, lava continues to ooze out at a few points on the 3.7 miles wide flow front into the ocean.

No other fissures are active this morning.

Kīlauea summit
USGS scientists captured this stunning aerial photo of Halema‘uma‘u and part of the Kīlauea caldera floor during a helicopter overflight of Kīlauea’s summit this morning. In the lower third of the image, you can see the buildings that housed the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Jaggar Museum, the museum parking area, and a section of the Park’s Crater Rim Drive. Although recent summit explosions have produced little ash, the drab gray landscape is a result of multiple thin layers of ash that have blanketed the summit area during the ongoing explosions. July 13, 2018. PC: USGS

Thursday, July 19, 2018, 6 a.m.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that eruption activity continues from Fissure 8 into the perched channel and supplying lava flows to the ocean at Ahalanui.

Lava is entering the ocean and producing a large laze plume.

Kīlauea summit earthquakes continue to affect the Volcano and surrounding community.

The following policies remain in effect:

• When driving be alert for cracks and damage to roadways from earthquakes.
• Check all utility connections of water, gas and electricity.

On the active fissure 8 eruption:

• Do not access the active flow field due to extreme hazard. Be aware that channel overflows and other breakouts are possible on the active flow field.
• The ocean entry continues to produce a “laze” plume. Take precautions and stay out of the plume to avoid exposure to hydrochloric acid and glass particles, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
• The latest air quality measurements from the University of Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project can be found here.

There will be a community meeting for the Ka‘ū District at the Pahala Community Center at 6 p.m. to discuss the ongoing event at Kilauea.