Scientists tracking new Kilauea lava flow (Honolulu, Volcano: estimated, skylight, rated)

[OpenD]

Civil Defense alert for Wednesday 11/5 - the lava front is still stalled.

Eruption Information Update For Wednesday, November 5th At 7:30AM

This is an eruption and lava flow Information Update for Wednesday November 5th at 7:30AM

This morning’s assessment shows that the flow front remains stalled with very little activity and has not advanced over the past five days. The flow pad continues to show signs of inflation which could result in breakouts and more activity. The front remains approximately 480 feet from the Pahoa Village Road. The upslope breakouts remain approximately .7 to 1.5 miles above the Apa’a Street area and along the north side of the flow and moving in a north/northeast direction.

Smoke conditions are light with light trade winds. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.

The evacuation advisory for those residents down slope of the flow will continue and residents will be kept informed of the flow status and advancement.

County of Hawaii - Civil Defense Alerts and Information

[OpenD]

HVO Kilauea Status Report Weds 11/5 - More details on what is happening besides the stalled front.

Activity Summary: Kīlauea volcano continued to erupt at its summit and within its East Rift Zone, and gas emissions remained elevated. As of Wednesday morning, the leading edge of the June 27th lava flow had not advanced beyond where it stalled late last week, in a residential area approximately 155 meters (170 yards) above Pāhoa Village Road. Activity continued behind the lava flow's leading edge, within the flow's interior, and along its side margins, with localized breakouts of molten lava. As reported by Hawaii County Civil Defense, active lava lobes persisted ~1 to 2.5 km (0.7 to 1.5 miles) upslope of Apaʻa Street, and along the north side of the flow there, advancing in a north-northeast direction. Only very minor tilt occurred at Kīlauea's summit, and the level of the summit lava lake at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater dropped by 5 m (5 yards) from the previous day.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: HVO scientists continued monitoring the progress of the lava flow on Tuesday. The leading edge of the flow remains stalled and the overall level of activity was low. However, active breakouts persist in areas upslope of the leading edge and from lobes along the flow margins, and the interior of the flow continues to inflate. The most active breakout on Tuesday, Nov 4, was ~1 km (0.7 miles) above Apaʻa Street, on the north side of the flow, over a margin of about 400 m (440 yards). Other, smaller, breakouts were observed near the Pāhoa Cemetery, a few hundred meters upslope of the transfer station, and just east of Kaohe Homesteads on the south side of the flow. A County Civil Defense overflight on Wednesday morning noted activity at the breakout ~1 km (0.7 miles) above Apaʻa Street, and another ~2.5 km (1.5 miles) above Apaʻa Street, both moving in a north/northeast direction. An HVO overflight is planned for Wednesday to further assess any changes.

HVO Kilauea Status

[OpenD]

This article from the Star-Advertiser includes a link to an AP copyrighted video that shows some dramatic lava shots of the breakouts

Scientists and Civil Defense officials are monitoring the inflation of the lava flow in Pahoa.

A Civil Defense overflight Wednesday morning showed the flow front remains stalled 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road, Pahoa's main street. The flow has not advanced in five days.

However, lava behind the stalled front shows "signs of inflation which could result in breakouts and more activity," according to a Civil Defense message.

About 380 yards behind the front, an active stretch of lava 650 yards long is "inflating" -- or filling with fresh lava. In some spots the lava is growing as high as 12 feet, said Frank Trusdell, a geologist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Officials monitor lava 'inflation' - Hawaii News - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

And the following video shows more interesting lava shots and information on the National Guard Soldiers now deployed in the Pahoa area, posted as "Soldiers Update."

http://static.dvidshub.net/media/vid...2x288-442k.mp4

[OpenD]

HVO Map for Weds 11/5 - Here you can clearly see the activity in the breakouts on the flanks.

The flow has not advanced during the last 24 hours. At the time of mapping, the tip of the flow was stalled, but two days ago there was an active breakout on the north side of the flow field 130 meters (140 yards) upslope of the flow tip. As of today that flow has not moved. The tip of the flow was 155 meters (170 yards) from Pāhoa Village Road. Pāhoehoe flows did not move significantly closer to the two story structure along the southeast margin of the flow. Surface activity also continues elsewhere on the flow. A surface breakout behind the flow front about 115 meters (125 yards) makai of the Cemetery. Breakout activity, mauka of Apaʻa street, occurred along the north margin of the flow at 335 meters (366 yards), 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) and along the south margin at 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles).

HVO Maps

[McFrostyJ]

"Hawai'i County crews have successfully rough-graded all 7.8 miles of Chain of Craters Road that has been covered in lava!! County crews started on the Highway 130-Kalapana junction side on September 23, while work on the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park side began on October 24 -- but crews met in the middle just before Noon today!"


From - Instagram

At the begging of this video you can see what the cemetery looks like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OjKWGSyprc

[OpenD]

Thanks, J. That's a great update.

But it's important to point out that the Chain of Craters Road will not be opened to the public at this time, and is not intended to be opened at all unless it is needed.

Matter of fact, there are new concerns being voiced about the environmental issues raised, such as danger to the endangered nene geese that have never experienced traffic along that road, concerns about spreading coqui frog throughout the park, and the loss of control of access to the highly visited tourist attraction, and possible impact on admission fees. They are taking public comments on the environmental review until Dec 5.

Concerns raised over lava bypass road to Puna

An environmental review for constructing an emergency access route along a lava-covered section of Chain of Craters Road identifies concerns including the spread of invasive species and possible harm to endangered nene.

The National Park Service has agreed to accommodate two-way traffic on an alternate route to Puna to prepare for lava flowing over the district's main road. Construction is underway to re-establish the road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to its original width of 22 feet. Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi says the road will be a lifeline.

The review released Tuesday says a potential impact is spread of invasive species such as little fire ants and coqui frogs hitching rides on vehicles from Puna.

The public has until Dec. 5 to comment on the review.

Concerns raised over lava bypass road to Puna - Hawaii News - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by OpenD

They are taking public comments on the environmental review until Dec 5.

Here's a link to a PDF of the "environmental review"…
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile...df&sfid=195927

[1freespirit]

Waiting for HVO update for today but this sounds promising.

The front of the June 27 lava flow, stalled for a week near Pahoa Village Road, might not move another inch after cooling significantly, according to a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist.


“That lower portion of the flow (below the Pahoa Cemetery) is very cool and it’s very unlikely that lava is now making its way into that part of the flow where it’s going to squirt out the leading edge,” said Steve Brantley, HVO acting scientist-in-charge.
But Brantley cautioned that doesn’t mean nearby residents are safe since a breakout upslope could still overtake the flow’s front.
When and where that would occur remains to be seen.


Activity on the flow remained weak Wednesday with breakouts mostly occurring mauka of Cemetery Road.
Brantley also noted it’s unclear if the lava tube just above that road will remain stable enough to continue feeding lava down slope without an uptick in activity.


“Once that cools enough, then the lava won’t be able to make it down to that lower point,” he said, “and that could force additional surface flows upslope. Where exactly? That depends on wherever the channel, where the tube is weakest.”
As of Wednesday, a small surface flow and inflation were seen near the cemetery, indicating the tube there remains active.
Overall, the amount of lava being fed to the flow from Puu Oo remains significantly below the peak rate seen in mid-September.
Brantley said about 100,000 cubic meters of lava is moving from the vent through the tube system each day, compared with about 350,000 cubic meters at its peak.


Regarding what the flow will do next, officials say it’s basically a matter of watching and waiting.
Pahoehoe flows like this one are known to be unpredictable and periods of calm can abruptly come to an end.........................


---Click on link to read full article ----

June 27 flow front cools significantly | West Hawaii Today

[McFrostyJ]

"This USGS HVO photo is a thermal image of the flow front. The warm (but not hot) temperatures (red and orange) around the leading tip of the flow indicate that no surface flows are active in this area. Several small breakouts are active a short distance upslope, near the cemetery, and are visible by their higher temperatures (yellow, white). Upslope of Cemetery Rd./Apaʻa St., scattered breakouts remain active. A lobe about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) upslope of Cemetery Rd./Apaʻa St. has expanded the flow margin towards the north."

From - VIDEO: Morning Lava Flow Update

[OpenD]

Civil Defense alert for Thurs 11/6 - No advance for 6 days.

Eruption Information Update For Thursday, November 6th At 8:00AM

This is an eruption and lava flow Information Update for Thursday November 6th at 8:00AM

This morning’s assessment shows that the flow front remains stalled with very little activity and has not advanced over the past six days. The flow pad continues to show signs of inflation which could result in breakouts and more activity. The front remains approximately 480 feet from the Pahoa Village Road. The upslope breakouts remain approximately .7 to 1.5 miles above the Apa’a Street area and along the north side of the flow and moving in a north/northeast direction. Active burning along the flow edges in the areas of the cemetery and above the transfer station was noted and limited to the vegetation in contact with the flow.

Smoke conditions are light with variable winds winds. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.

Although current flow activity has decreased, the evacuation advisory for those residents down slope of the flow will continue and residents will be kept informed of the flow status and advancement.

The Pahoa Village Road between Apa’a Street and the Post Office Road will remain closed and limited to area residents only. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

County of Hawaii - Civil Defense Alerts and Information