4 PM: Brush Fires Reported, New Thermal Map

his 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 from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory tower viewed toward the east-southeast.

KĪLAUEA SUMMIT LIVESTREAM LINK from the Northeast Caldera Rim viewed toward the south.

CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE LAVA MAP FOR JULY 28, 2018

Saturday, July 28, 2018, 4 p.m.: Brush Fires in Area of Noni Farms Road

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports earthquakes continue at Kīlauea Summit and Fissure 8 continues to erupt into the channel sending lava flows into the ocean at Ahalanui; creating a large laze plume.

HVO field crew report fluctuations in the channel level with spillovers occurring in the throughout the channel.

The Hawai‘i Fire Department is monitoring brush fires on the south side of the flow in the area of Noni Farms Road. As of yesterday’s overflight, the eastern margin of the flow near Pohoiki has not advanced southward and remains approximately 500 feet from the Pohoiki Boat Ramp at Isaac Hale Park.

State Highways reports no new cracks on Highway 11, but requests motorists between mile marker 28 and 32 stay on the pavement and be alert for changes in roadway conditions.

This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 a.m. on Friday, July 27.

Thermal map of the East Rift Zone on July 27, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS

The fountain at Fissure 8 remains active, with the lava flow entering the ocean. The dominant ocean entry points were on the section of coastline near Ahalanui. The black and white area is the extent of the thermal map. Temperature in the thermal image is displayed as gray-scale values, with the brightest pixels indicating the hottest areas. The thermal map was constructed by stitching many overlapping oblique thermal images collected by a handheld thermal camera during a helicopter overflight of the flow field. The base is a copyrighted color satellite image (used with permission) provided by Digital Globe.

The following guidelines remain in effect:

• 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 Hawai‘i County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.

• • The Disaster Recovery Center, is moving to the Pāhoa Community Center beginning Monday, July 30. Hours of operations is 8 a.m to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • Access placards are available at the Civil Defense office located at 920 Ululani St. in Hilo.

6 a.m.: Fissure 8 Channel Spillovers Continue

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports earthquakes continue at Kīlauea Summit.

Fissure 8 continues to erupt into the channel sending lava flows into the ocean at Ahalanui, creating a large laze plume.

HVO field crew report fluctuations in the channel level with spillovers occurring in the upper portion of the channel this morning.

As of yesterday’s overflight, the eastern margin of the flow near Pohoiki has not advanced southward and remains approximately 500 feet from the Pohoiki Boat Ramp at Isaac Hale Park.

State Highways reports no new cracks on Highway 11, but request motorists between mile marker 28 and 32 stay on the pavement and be alert for changes in roadway conditions.

The following guidelines remain in effect:

• 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 Hawai‘i County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.

The Disaster Recovery Center, located at the Kea`au High School Gym is moving to the Pāhoa Community Center beginning Monday, July 30. Hours of operations are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Access placards are available at the Civil Defense office located at 920 Ululani St. in Hilo.

3 a.m.: No Tsunami From 5.4-M Summit Quake

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports a collapse event at Halemaumau Crater occurred at 2:37 AM.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports the energy was equal to a 5.4 magnitude earthquake and reports there is NO TSUNAMI THREAT to the Island of Hawaii.

Due to this volcanic activity, the following is provided for your safety;

Residents in the area affected by earthquakes are advised to monitor utility connections of gas, electricity, and water after earthquakes.
Motorist in the affected area be careful of possible cracks on roadways.
If ash is observed, seek cover and stay indoors.

2:40 a.m.: NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED

THE NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI REPORTED THAT A SEISMIC EVENT OCCURRED NEAR THE SUMMIT OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO. THE EVENT IS LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A SUMMIT ERUPTION.

ITS PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS ARE:

ORIGIN TIME – 0237 AM HST 28 JUL 2018
COORDINATES – 19.4 NORTH 155.3 WEST
LOCATION – IN THE SUMMIT REGION OF KILAUEA VOLCANO
MAGNITUDE – 5.4

NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED.

Aerial view (looking east) of the fissure 8 lava channel on July 27, 2018. The dark-colored crust and incandescent cracks on the channel result from the cooling of exposed lava at the surface and movement within the lava channel. PC: USGS