Lava flow progression slideshow

This small-scale map shows the June 27th flow in Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone as of September 8, 2014. The area of the flow on September 6 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the flow as mapped on September 8 at ~12:45 PM is shown in red. The front of the active flow was 13.7 km (8.5 miles; straight-line distance) from the vent and 1.2 km (0.7 miles) from the east boundary of the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve. The flow was advancing toward the north, roughly parallel to the Forest Reserve boundary. The blue lines show down-slope paths calculated from a 1983 digital elevation model (DEM). For an explanation of down-slope path calculations, see: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1264/. All older Puʻu ʻŌʻō lava flows (1983–2014) are shown in gray; the yellow line marks the lava tube.

This large-scale map shows the distal part of the June 27th flow in relation to nearby Puna communities. The area of the flow on September 6 at ~11:10 AM is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the flow as mapped on September 8 at ~12:45 PM is shown in red. The black dots mark the flow front on specific dates. The latitude and longitude of the flow front on September 8 was 19.455405/-154.991771 (Decimal degrees; WGS84). The blue lines show down-slope paths calculated from a 1983 digital elevation model (DEM; for calculation details, see http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1264/).

This shaded-relief map, courtesy of the Carnegie Airborne Observatory, shows some of the cracks, faults, and grabens (down-dropped blocks between adjacent faults; http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=graben) that are present in Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, and which have partly controlled the June 27th flow’s advance direction. The June 27th flow as of September 6 is shown in pink, while flow advance since then (as of ~12:45 PM on September 8) is partly transparent and shown in red. At the time of the mapping, the flow was advancing toward the north, and its front was at the location of the last obvious east-northeast-trending structure visible on the map.

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UPDATED: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8

HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Monday, September 8, 2014, 5:01 PM HST (20140909/0301Z)
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2014/H2
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: HI Hawaii and Pacific Ocean

Volcanic Activity Summary: On June 27, 2014, new vents opened on the northeast flank of the Puu Oo cone that fed a narrow lava flow to the east-northeast. On August 18, the flow entered a ground crack, traveled underground for several days, then resurfaced to form a small lava pad. The sequence was repeated three more times over the following days with lava entering and filling other cracks before reappearing at the surface, in two of the cases farther downslope. Lava emerged from the last crack on September 6 and moved as a surface flow to the north. Between September 6 and 8, the flow advanced northward at a rate of 400 m/d (1,300 ft/d). In this way, the flow had advanced approximately 13.7 km (8.5 miles straight-line distance) from the vent, or to within 1.2 km (0.7 miles) of the eastern boundary of the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, by the afternoon of September 8. At the average rate of advancement of 400 m/day (1,300 ft/day) since September 6, we project that lava could flow from its current location either through the north part of Kaohe Homesteads, or to the north of Kaohe Homesteads, and reach the government road in Pāhoa within 16-18 days if lava is not further confined within the cracks and down-dropped blocks within the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano. These estimates will be continually refined as we track this lava flow.

Kaohe Homesteads is located between the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve and the town of Pahoa in the Puna District of the County of Hawaii.

Recent Observations:
[Lava flow/dome] Lava flow advancing to the north at a rate of 400 m/day (1,300 ft/day).
[Volcanic cloud height] Unknown
[Other volcanic cloud information] Unknown

Hazard Analysis:
[Lava flow/dome] Lava Flow from Puu Oo vent could reach the government road in Pāhoa within 16-18 days.

Remarks: The Puu Oo vent in the East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano began erupting on January 3, 1983, and has continued erupting for more than 31 years, with the majority of lava flows advancing to the south. Over the past two years, lava flows have issued from the vent toward the northeast. The June 27th flow is the most recent of these flows and the first to threaten a residential area since 2010-2011.

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Pahoa area merchants meeting

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the Akebono Theater, Hawaii County Civil Defense will be meeting with Pahoa area merchants to discuss the lava flow threat. Area merchants or their representatives are asked to attend the meeting.

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Lava Flow Update Meetings

Hawai’i County Civil Defense and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will hold community meetings to update residents on the lava flow in the Wao Kele O Puna area on:

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria

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USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory update for Monday (Sept 8)

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: The June 27th lava flow remains active. A Civil Defense overflight yesterday morning observed continued slow advancement of the flow front towards the northeast, away from the ground crack from which it issued. A Civil Defense overflight this morning also observed flows continuing to move northeast from the ground crack, with the flow front having advanced several hundred meters (yards) since it was mapped on Saturday morning. The front of the active flows as mapped on Saturday morning was 13.2 km (8.2 miles) from the vent and 1.4 km (0.9 miles) from the eastern boundary of the Wao Kele o Puna forest reserve. The flow front remains in thick forest, creating smoke plumes.

Small breakouts also remain active closer to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, roughly midway along the length of the June 27th flow. None of these breakouts have been very vigorous recently. Some of these breakouts are also creeping into the forest and producing smoke plumes.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: There was minor deflation at Puʻu ʻŌʻō over the past day. Glow was visible overnight above several outgassing openings in the crater floor. Aerial views on Saturday found small lava ponds within the northeast, north and south pits in the crater. The most recent sulfur-dioxide emission-rate measurement for the East Rift Zone was 400 tonnes per day (from all sources) on September 2, 2014.

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Hawaii County Civil Defense: Eruption and Lava Flow Information Update for 7:45 a.m., Monday September 8, 2014

This morning’s assessment shows the surface lava flow continues very slowly in a north direction. Very little vegetation is burning and there is no wildfire threat at this time. Weather and fire conditions are being monitored closely. The surface flow has advanced approximately 150 yards since yesterday. Subsurface flow activity also continues. The surface flow is moving very slowly and does not pose an immediate threat to area residents. The surface flow is located approximately .8 miles southwest or upslope of the Wao Kele Puna Forest Reserve boundary and moving in a north direction and parallel to the forest reserve boundary.

Presently, the current activities and flow does not present with an immediate or imminent threat to area communities. No evacuation is required at this time. Eruption activity will continue to be monitored and additional updates will be provided.

Although the current flow activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities, residents are encouraged to continue to review their emergency plans in the event conditions change and should an evacuation be necessary.

The public is reminded that the flow cannot be accessed and is not visible from any public areas. Access to the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision will be restricted and limited to subdivision residents only.

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HAWAII ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY

Unpredictable lava flows in the Puna District have seemingly stalled, however they remind us that upfront planning now can ease stressful situations should there be a need to evacuate. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

The Hawaii Island Humane Society has a few tips to help keep animals safe in the event of an evacuation:

HIHS encourages all pet owners to be safe and prepared. If you are advised to evacuate, please consider your pet’s safety. Do not leave animals behind.

Develop a plan for their ongoing care including transportation arrangements.

Larger animals including horses and livestock may need to be moved well in advance. Call friends or family members to locate alternate pastures.

Gather items for your pet’s emergency kit –

• Crate
• Leash
• Food
• Water
• Towel
• Identification
• Medication (if applicable)

If you evacuate, arrive at your destination prepared with your pet’s emergency kit and take your pets!

The mission of the Hawaii Island Humane Society is to promote respect for all animals, prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation, and enhance the bond between humans and animals. HIHS holds a contract with the County of Hawaii to enforce certain animal-related laws and it offers 24-hour service for injured animals and other animal emergencies, humane education classes, low-cost spay and neuter services, lost and found assistance, micro-chipping and more.

For further information, call 808-329-1175 or visit www.hihs.org

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HelpPuna.com Helps Animal Evacuation

The June 27 lava flow poses a threat to farms and homes in the Puna area near Pahoa. Since this flow is in an agricultural area, it also threatens farm animals such as chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, in addition to dogs and cats.

All these animals would need to be evacuated in the event of an approaching lava flow. As people prepare for possible evacuation, they need to prepare and plan for evacuating their livestock and pets, too.

Finding accommodations for displaced people and their animals could become a major challenge as this lava flow continues. H.E.L.P. Puna is providing a free website service for residents who need to find places to protect their animals, and other residents in safe areas who wish to offer their properties as “Places of Refuge”.

H.E.L.P. is the Hawaii Evacuation of Livestock and Pets, a program of the Good Shepherd Foundation, a nonprofit organization with an animal sanctuary in Opihikao, not far from the lava flow.

Everyone is invited to offer their property as a haven from the lava flow for any livestock and pets they can accommodate. Some will be willing to accept only certain types of animals, such as dogs or cats. Others may have large fenced pastures or yards where they can take horses, sheep, or goats. Still others may have small backyards where they can only take chickens.

Those offering their places as refuges can do so for free or for a fee. It is between the parties to decide all financial issues and ensure there is a good fit.

We also invite those with animal trailers to offer their services on this website. Some people will need help moving their animals.

— Find out more:
www.HelpPuna.com

Breakouts remain scattered along the June 27th lava flow, and are not just limited to the flow front. Here surface flows have recently cut a swath through thick forest. Photo taken Saturday (Sept 6). Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO