4 PM: 4.1-M Caldera Quake Produces Rockfall

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.

East Rift Zone on Aug. 2, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS

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 AUG. 3, 2018

Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, 4 p.m.: 4.1-M Caldera Quake Produces Rockfall

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that earthquakes continue at Kīlauea summit. At 2:24 p.m., a magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred in the summit caldera that produced a rockfall.

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

The margin of the flow at the ocean entry has not advanced and remains approximately 500 feet from the Pohoiki boat ramp.

Motorists on Highway 11 between the 28 and 32 mile marker are advised to stay on the pavement, be alert for changing roadway conditions, and drive with caution. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should proceed with extreme caution.

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.

12:05 p.m.: New Map Released

Map as of 10 a.m., Aug. 3, 2018.

Map of the East Rift Zone on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Click to enlarge. 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.

Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, 6 a.m.: Spillovers of Flow Channel

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports Fissure 8 continues to erupt lava with spillovers of the flow channel last evening on the north side in an undeveloped area and near Green Mountain. Earthquakes continue at the Kīlauea Summit.

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 the extreme hazard of overflows and other breakouts.
• The ocean entry continues to produce a “laze” plume. 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 Kīlauea eruption.

• The Disaster Recovery Center is open Monday to Friday at the Pāhoa Community Center. Hours of operation 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.