VIDEO: Lava Surge & New Island

Videographer Mick Kalber released this video of an overflight of the East Rift Zone he took with Paradise Helicopters on Sunday, July 15, 2018.

Kalber stated:

Recent large earthquakes at Kīlauea volcano’s summit have been linked to surges of lava at Fissure 8 of the lower east rift zone eruption.

Last night’s quake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater measured 5.4, and we watched the surge arrive at Fissure 8 this morning at 6 a.m.

The extra lava pumped into the system caused an overflow which moved southeast from what is now the eruption’s main vent, but the flow never left the previously erupted flow field and did not endanger the homes nearby.

The newly created island continues to grow off the eastern coast near what was once Kapoho Bay.

Upwellings of lava below the sea created the small island, which is rapidly becoming a peninsula, as a black sand beach is slowly connecting it to Hawai‘i Island.

Just four days ago, Ahalanui Beach Park (Hot Pond) and Kua O Ka La Charter School were covered by lava from the current LERZ eruption of Kīlauea volcano.

Pele [the volcano goddess] has now created an enormous ocean entry nearby, just a half-mile from Pohoiki. The ocean entry continues to pour lava into the ocean, with littoral explosions occurring regularly, and slowly moving south toward the surf beaches and boat ramp at Pohoiki.

The source of the eruption upslope is Fissure 8.

Fissure 8 is still very active, sending two-thousand degree hot liquid lava downslope in rivers to the ocean entry some eight miles below.