June 27 Lava Flow Update – 1/9/15

A week has gone by since the once-threatening June 27 lava flow front was making an advance towards the Pahoa Martketplace. The south margin breakout has also remained stalled for the past week and has also not shown any signs of advancement. However, two upslope breakouts along the north margin of the flow continue to remain active, showing advancement.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense noted during its Friday morning overflight assessment that the active, advancing breakouts have moved in a northeast direction by about 130 yards in the past 24 hours.

These two branches are about 1-1.5 miles upslope from the stalled flow front, which is 0.5 miles from the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Friday that “the lobe has entered a drainage area that leads to the steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about 0.6 miles south of the Maku’u Farmer’s Market, but the flow is still 2.1 miles upslope from Highway 130 and moving slowly.”

Additional surface activity about 300 yards upslope of the flow front was noted during the Civil Defense overflight. Various surface breakouts and activity along both the south and north margins of the flow in further upslope areas were also seen, including the area where the True/Mid-Pacific geothermal wellpad site is located.

Civil Defense noted Friday that none of the lava activity poses an immediate threat to communities in the area, but that they, along with HVO, will continue to monitor conditions and keep the public informed of any changes.

Light to moderate smoke conditions were reported, as a light trade wind was blowing smoke in a southwest direction. These conditions, as usual, have the possibility of increasing and those who have respiratory sensitivity or issues are advised to take precautions and stay indoors.

The alternate access road along Railroad Avenue was closed to all traffic on Wednesday at noon. The closure took place to allow for road maintenance, as well as to preserve the road, should it be needed in the future.

Additionally, Civil Defense has announced modified hours or operation at the Pahoa Transfer station lava viewing area. Hours of operation were adjusted to fit the hours of peak visitation. The new hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense lava flow map, as of Jan. 9 at 7 a.m. Civil Defense photo.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense lava flow map, as of Jan. 9 at 7 a.m. Civil Defense photo.