PHOTOS: Lava Moving in Open Channel

The U.S. Geological Survey released these pictures of the East Rift Zone on Monday July 30, 2018.

Around noon on Monday, July 30, 2018, USGS scientists were able to get a reasonably clear view of the spillway though which lava erupted from the Fissure 8 cone enters the lava channel.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS

At the time, they observed a continuous, steady outpouring of lava.

As of 6 a.m., Monday, July 30, lava from Fissure 8 was moving in an open channel all the way to the central flow field southeast of Kapoho Crater.

Ocean entry on July 30, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS

There, it crusted over and fed numerous active tongues of lava that entered the ocean along a broad  1.2 miles coastal flow front centered near the former Ahalanui Beach Park.

During this morning’s overflight, USGS scientists noted that the distal Fissure 8 flow margin had not advanced overnight, and remained less than 0.1 mi from the Pohoiki boat ramp in Isaac Hale Park.

Pohoiki on July 30, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: USGS

But they also observed that lava along the western edge of the flow was fuming, so it could start oozing from that edge.