Lava from fissure 8 meets ocean at the Kapoho bay

Overflight photograph at approximately 6:13 a.m. HST shows the lava flow originating from Fissure 8 (not visible in photograph) entering Kapoho Bay. The ocean entry was reported to have occurred by 10:30 p.m. on the night of June 3, 2018.

The lava from fissure 8 entered the ocean at  Kapoho Bay at about 10:30 PM HST on June 3 generating a laze plume that is blowing inland but dissipating quickly. As of today morning, the lava is also constructing a delta in Kapoho Bay extending a few hundred yards into the bay.

The lava flow front is half a mile wide. A sluggish lava flow was observed in the vicinity of fissure 18 and rest of the fissures are all inactive.

Volcanic gas emissions remain very high from the fissure eruptions and also at the summit. Trade wind conditions are bringing vog to the south and west sides of the Island of Hawaii. Afternoon easterly winds may bring vog to communities in the Volcano area.

Inward slumping of the rim and walls of the walls of Halema`uma`u continues in response to persistent subsidence.

The USGS is predicting an increased earthquake activity in the coming days.

Some of the photos from USGS update today:

Video from helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on June 4, 2018, shows lava from fissure 8 entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay. View to the north.

What a difference four days makes! These thermal images of fissure 8 fountains erupting on Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone show a few things: 1) The lava fountains have gained height—with the tallest one growing from 150 ft to over 250 ft. 2) A pu‘u (cone) has built up downwind. 3) The amount of material wafting downwind is greater. Scientifically, we know the fountain temperatures are reaching up to about 2040 degrees F (1115 C). The composition of the lava erupted has high MgO (magnesium oxide) values, which comes from olivine crystals that are being pulled from deep in the rift zone.

UAS mission films astonishing details of changes occurring within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit

This new U.S. Geological Survey aerial video reveals the astonishing changes within Halema‘uma‘u Crater and the vent that housed a 12-acre lava lake up until a few weeks ago. The vent is now about 100 acres and is devoid of lava as far as the eye can tell. Where did all that lava go? Is the vent capped in rock material now? When, or how could it, explode? These are the questions scientists will try to answer by studying this video and other data they are collecting about the ongoing changes with the #KilaueaEruption.

A UAS mission on May 31, 2018, filmed details of the dramatic changes occurring within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at Kīlauea's summit since explosive eruptions of ash and gas and ongoing wall collapse began in mid-May.

Clearly visible are steep, and in places, overhung crater walls, new cracks and faults that reflect ongoing subsidence of the area and intense steaming from a new collapse pit on the north margin of Halema‘uma‘u. Footage also shows yellow sulfur precipitate on the rubble-covered floor and a scattering of large ballistic blocks around the crater rim.

This video was taken from a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems). Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The overflights collect visual information on what is happening at this rapidly changing eruption site. Scientists will be examining the footage in detail to understand how the expanding collapse area is evolving, the extent of ballistic debris, and other clues as to what is happening at Kīlauea's summit. 

This information informs the assessment of hazards, which is shared with the National Park Service and emergency managers. Video by the U.S. Geological Survey and Office of Aviation Services, Department of the Interior, with support from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Immediate evacuation ordered as advancing lava threatens shut down of Highway 132

Lava flow near Highway 132

Fast moving lava approaching Highway 132 at Lava Tree State Park to Four Corners prompts more evacuations in Leilani estate in Puna, Big Island of Hawaii. If the Highway is completely shut down, Beach road will be the only escape route left for residents in lower Puna.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports an additional lava flow has crossed Pohoiki Road south of the Highway 132 junction.  

Late Monday afternoon, Fissure 8 erupted into volcanic fountain reaching a height of 100-150 feet, spawning a fast-moving flow that moved north along Luana Street. According to Hawaiian legend, this has led to Pele's hair being transported downwind with some strands falling in Pahoa. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has urged the residents to minimize exposure to Pele's hair (volcanic glass), which can cause skin and eye irritation similar to volcanic ash.

Here is a YouTube video in which the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Ranger, Adrian Boone explains the origin of "Pele's Hair" at Kilauea Volcano.

Lava Fountain at Fissure 7

Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 7 Activity

Rapidly advancing lava consuming houses and trees

Since last reported 16, 18, 22,13, and 20 were active, with a flow moving south from Fissures 16/18.

An ash eruption at Halemaumau crater last night produced ash plume 15,000 feet in the air.  Light winds are blowing toward the northwest and ash fall may affect the Volcano and Pahala areas. Earthquakes continue in the summit region as the area is adjusting to the flow of magma.

A car being engulfed by the lava stream

Kīlauea Volcano — Pāhoehoe Flows on Kaupili Street

Here is a YouTube video by a resident as Lava surrounds his house 

A vigorous eruption of lava prompts more evacuation from Leilani estate

Fast moving lava flow from fissures 7 and 8 made its way into the eastern portion of Leilani Estates prompting evacuations in advance of this dangerous, rapidly moving stream of lava.

The US Geological Survey said Sunday that fissure 7 was "very active, producing a large spatter rampart over 100 feet tall from fountains reaching 150-200 feet."

One more fissure (24) has also opened on Sunday but it not actively spewing lava yet.

Ocean entry of lava continues at 3 minor points, with fissure 13 being the dominant source. Activity at fissure 22 has waned while fountaining continues at fissure 8.

Aerial view of the ocean-entry areas at about 12:30 p.m. HST. Lava flowing into the ocean diminished overnight and this morning (note lack of obvious plume at the entry areas). View is toward the northwest. Photograph courtesy of Civil Air Patrol

Pāhoehoe lava advancing west from fissure 7 (lava fountain in background) on Leilani Avenue. Fissure 7 activity increased overnight, with lava fountains reaching 50 to 60 m (164 to 197 ft) high

"Lava flow from Fissures 7 and 21 crossed into PGV property overnight and has now covered one well that was successfully plugged. That well, along with a second well 100 feet away, are stable and secured, and are being monitored. Also due to preventative measures, neither well is expected to release any hydrogen sulfide," it said.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said that lava had reached the Puna Geothermal Venture Plant, covering a well.

Volcanic gas emissions also remained very high, the USGS said. "Tradewinds are expected to diminish Sunday evening, which could expand the area impacted by vog," it said in a statement.

Since Sunday noon, no significant ash column has been produced, said USGS, "Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time.”

Aerial view of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera and an ash plume billowing from Halema‘uma‘u, a crater within the caldera. The USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar Museum are visible on the caldera rim (center right); Kīlauea Military Camp can be seen in the lower right. Photo courtesy of the Civil Air Patrol.

Radar data acquired by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite over Kīlauea Volcano shows that the summit eruptive vent continues to expand as the unsupported conduit walls collapse. The vent area is now approximately 90 acres, and the scientist at Space Agency anticipate further enlargements over the coming days to weeks as subsidence of Kīlauea caldera, rockfalls, and small explosions continue.

As of Friday, the oozing lava had destroyed 82 structures on the Big Island, of which 41 are homes Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno said.

About 2,400 acres had been covered in lava since the Kilauea volcano eruptions began May 3, Magno said.                                      

   Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows

Map as of 2:30 p.m. HST, May 27, 2018. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Destructive fury of Kilauea continues unabated: 270 earthquakes felt in one day

Mount Kilauea shows no sign of abatement since its started erupting lava since May 3. With 270 earthquakes recorded at the summit yesterday, here is the latest in what’s going on at Big Island of Hawaii.

The flurry of earthquakes caused four massive explosions from the volcano’s summit, sending ash clouds up to 4,500 meters into the atmosphere.

Lava from the main summit lava lake continues to seep underground into tunnels and explodes through the fissures in the ground.

According to United States Geological Survey (USGS), fissures 22, 6, and 13 are feeding lava flows moving southeast to the coast southwest of Pohoiki. At midday today, two ocean entries were active.

 Over the past 24 hours, channels feeding these ocean entries have diminished somewhat in vigor, however, the laze plume generated remains significant.

Fissure 21 is feeding an 'a'ā flow that has advanced to the northeast and this afternoon crossed Pahoa Pohoiki Road onto PGV property. Fissure 7 is feeding a flow that has turned south toward the coast, and at dusk, the lava was cascading into the Pawaii crater, adjacent to the western margin of the fissure 6 flow that feeds one of the ocean entries.

U.S. Marine Corps and National Guard helicopters are on standby for an air evacuation near Highway 130, the last exit route for coastal residents.

View of a rising ash plume from Halema‘uma‘u, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea, late yesterday

The summit area is adjusting to the withdrawal of magma and the walls of the Overlook crater are retreating. Ash continued to erupt intermittently from the Overlook crater and gas emissions also remain high. 

Explosion at the summit of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano creates a 30,000 feet tall ash plume

Webcam image shows the plume of ash from Thursday morning's explosive eruption at Kilauea (Image: USGS)

Hawaii Volcano Observatory officials confirmed that there was an explosive eruption at around 4:15 a.m., at the summit of Kilauea which created a massive volcanic cloud reaching 30,000 feet. That's a little below the cruising altitude of a jetliner.

Huge plumes of ash poured from Halemaumau Crater as volcanic activity at the summit continued. (Image: Janice Wei)

"At any time, the activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent," the USGS said. "Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau."

image from a temporary thermal camera positioned on the northwest flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō showing the heat map

Earlier, the ash plume rose to 12,000 feet on Tuesday, covering the surrounding areas in a thick blanket of smoke and ash.

The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall advisory after radar showed the massive plume. The wind is expected to carry the ash plume toward Ka'u, Volcano, Mountain View, Keaau and as far as Hilo.

The explosion followed a series of 125 shallow quakes that rattled Kilauea's summit and neighboring communities since 1 day.

Michelle Coombs, of the U.S. Geological Survey, said the situation remains "very, very active and very dynamic. Scientists were not surprised by the volcano explosion that sent a cloud of volcanic ash up to 30,000 feet above sea level Thursday. She said even more powerful events could follow.


Michelle Coobs with U.S. Geological Survey says scientists were not surprised by the volcano explosion that sent a cloud of volcanic ash up to 30,000 feet above sea level Thursday. She said even more powerful events could follow.

The quakes are being caused by the ongoing deflation at the summit and as lava levels continue to plummet. As of Wednesday afternoon, the floor of the Kilauea caldera has dropped about 3 feet.

Close view of rock hurled from the Overlook crater during an explosive event last evening. The rock broke apart on impact and was about 60 cm (24 in) before it hit the ground.

Also on Wednesday, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said rocks up to 2 feet wide were hurled from the crater to a parking lot hundreds of yards away. The hurling of these ballistic rocks could reflect the onset of a steam-driven explosion that the officials are expecting since long. This will happen as the lava level continue falling and touch the water table beneath the Kilauea caldera, creating a massive explosion.

Researchers don't know when the explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be or how long they'd last.

Don Swanson, of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said, "If an explosion happens, there's a risk at all scales. If you're near the crater within a half a mile or so, then you would be subject to a bombardment by ballistic blocks weighing as much as 10 or 12 tons."