6 PM: Expansion at the Southern Boundary of the Flow

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

CLICK HERE FOR JUNE 12 INTERACTIVE MAP

June 15, 2018, 6 p.m.: Expansion at the Southern Boundary of the Flow

Today, lava fountains from Fissure 8 reached heights between 100 and 130 feet with bursts up to 180 feet while the cinder and spatter cone that is building around the fissure is now about 170 feet at its highest point. Lava is flowing through the well-established channel from fissure 8 to the ocean at Kapoho. Occasionally, lava spills over the channel levees. The ocean entry remained fairly broad with laze blown onshore. Fissures 16 and 18 continue to ooze lava.

Lava fountains from Fissure 8 reach heights of 200 feet overnight. The cinder and spatter cone that is building around the fissure is now about 165 feet at its highest point. At times, fissure activity is hidden behind the cinder and spatter cone, as shown in this image. USGS image taken June 15, 2018.

The early afternoon overflight found the Fissure 8 vent, channel, and entry stable with a small amount of expansion at the southern boundary of the flow near the coast and south of Vacationland. Fissure 24 (southeast of Fissure 8) seemed to be steamier and emitting more fume. Fissure 9 (southeast of Fissure 24) appeared hotter and will be checked on the ground this afternoon.

Pele’s Hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from the lava fountain at Fissure 8 continue to fall downwind of the fissure, dusting the ground within a few hundred yards of the vent. High winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Residents are urged to minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation similar to volcanic ash.

Photograph taken during helicopter overflight captures fissure 8 lava fountain.

Between 6 a.m. and noon, more than 180 earthquakes occurred in the summit area, 18 of which were stronger than magnitude-3.0. An explosive event occurred at noon today that produced an ash and gas plume to nearly 10,000 feet. Seismicity dropped abruptly after the explosive event but is expected to build up slowly over the next hours. Inward slumping of the rim and walls of Halema‘uma‘u continues in response to ongoing subsidence at the summit.

Sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano’s summit have dropped to levels that are about half those measured prior to the onset of the current episode of eruptive activity. This gas and minor amounts of ash are being transported downwind, with small bursts of ash and gas accompanying intermittent explosive activity.

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.  An explosive event at the Kilauea summit earlier today produced an ash plume that rose up to 10,000 feet and dispersed. 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 Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project, (http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/)

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.
• 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 Kea‘au Armory, and every hour from the Pāhoa Community Center shelter. The full bus schedule is listed below.
• 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 Kea‘au High School Gym (Continuous shuttle every 20 minutes)

Route 2 – Pāhoa Community Center to Kea‘au High School Gym (Continuous shuttle every hour)

Mental health services are available Mental health services are available on the Big Island. Click on the link to view a Hawai‘i Department of Health flyer.

12:03 p.m.: TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT 

A SEISMIC EVENT HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE SUMMIT OF KILAUEA VOLCANO.

THE EVENT IS LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A SUMMIT ERUPTION.

ITS PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS ARE

ORIGIN TIME – 11:57 AM HST 15 JUN 2018
COORDINATES – 19.4 NORTH 155.3 WEST
LOCATION – IN THE SUMMIT REGION OF KILAUEA VOLCANO
MAGNITUDE – 5.3

EVALUATION

NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED. REPEAT. NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED.
HOWEVER…SOME AREAS MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED STRONG SHAKING.

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS
ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED.

Below, Kīlauea media update for June 14, 2018

Friday, June 15, 2018, 8 a.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the eruption continues with little change in the lower East Rift Zone.

The flow from Fissure 8 continues to enter the ocean at Kapoho Bay, 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 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.
• If you feel the effects of sulfur dioxide exposure shelter-in-place or leave the immediate area.
• You can monitor the latest air quality measurements through the University of Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project at http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/.
• 6 a.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the eruption continues with little change in the Lower East Rift Zone.

Fissure 8 continues to produce a large channelized flow that is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume.

Expect heavier vog to blanket the interior and southern parts of the island, wrapping around to Kona through the weekend.

Residents of Hawai‘i County who suffered damage or losses from the recent Kīlauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), jointly operated by Hawai‘i County, the State of Hawai‘i and FEMA opened today at 8 a.m.

The DRC is located at Kea‘au High School Gymnasium and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• If you need a ride, buses will be running between the two shelters and the DRC between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• The Kea‘au Armory shuttle runs every 20 minutes and the Pāhoa Community Center Shelter every hour.  The full bus schedule can be found at www.HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts.

People can register for assistance at the DRC, as well as having many of their questions answered.

FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and state and county government agencies will be present at the center.

For a list of the information you need to bring with you, or if you want to register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.