Kilauea Eruption: Fissure 8 still very active sending lava to Kapoho, summit ash eruption Wednesday (June 6)

Hawaii County Civil Defense interactive map of roadblocks, subdivisions, and eruption fissures: hawaii247.com/lavamap

USGS Resources related to the 2018 Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone eruption and Summit Activity

KÄ«lauea Eruption Information Resources: www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-related/

Crowdsourced Kilauea Eruption lavaflow map here.

Livestream webcam of Kilauea summit here.

Kilauea Eruption Update


This is a video compilation from a helicopter overflight of KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone on June 6, 2018, around 6:30 a.m. The video shows the fissure 8 lava fountain feeding a channelized lava flow that travels northeast around the Kapoho cone, and then flows toward the south to enter the ocean at Kapoho Bay and Vacationland. The ocean entry has completely filled Kapoho Bay with lava, building a delta that extends 0.8 miles from shore. Video taken Wednesday, June 6, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey


This 3D thermal map shows the new geometry of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Magma in the summit magma chamber has drained over the past month due to KÄ«lauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, causing much of the floor and rim of Halema‘uma‘u to drop or collapse. These changes have resulted in a much deeper crater, with rubble covering the floor. The deepest part of the crater is 280 m (920 ft) below the former level of the crater floor. Imaging courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey


Beginning on June 3, lava from fissure 8 entered the ocean at Kapoho Bay. By June 6, lava had completely filled Kapoho Bay and built a delta that now extends over a mile from shore. A helicopter overflight of KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone on June 6, 2018, around 5:00 pm.m HST documented lava-seawater interactions at the ocean entry and the formation of a white plume called laze. Lava entering the ocean builds a platform of new land known as a lava delta. This new land appears stable, but hides a foundation of loose rubble that can collapse into the ocean.

This is a Civil Defense Message for 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports an eruption at 4:10 this evening at the Kilauea Summit resulting in a 10,000 foot high ash plume.  The National Weather Service is reporting slow, easterly winds over the next two days. Volcanic gas output and ash emissions may affect air quality across the central and southern half of the island.

Due to the changing wind conditions, the following is provided for your awareness:

  • Take action to limit further exposure.
  • Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.
  • A community meeting on volcanic ash and VOG will be held at 7 p.m., tomorrow, Thursday June 7th, in Volcano at the Cooper Center.
  • You can monitor volcanic gas levels on Hawaii Island by visiting the Civil Defense website or go directly to www.epa.gov/kilaueaairdata.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports vigorous lava eruptions continue in the lower East Rift Zone. The Fissure 8 flow has filled Kapoho Bay and is extending .7 miles from shore.

Due to the current volcanic activity, the following policies are in effect:

  • Government Beach Road, between Kahakai Boulevard and Cinder Road, is open to Waa Waa and Papaya Farms Road residents only with official credentials. There is no curfew.
  • Residents in this area should heed warnings from Civil Defense officials and be prepared to evacuate with little notice.

The Keaau Armory shelter has reached capacity. If you need shelter, the covered court at Pahoa Community Center is open and pet-friendly.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports volcanic gas emissions remain very high from fissure eruptions.  Due to the elevated gas levels, the following is provided for your information:

  • 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2018: An ash and vog community meeting will be held at the West Hawaii Civic Center Council Chambers.
  • You can monitor sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide on Hawaii Island by visiting the Civil Defense website or go directly to www.epa.gov/kilaueaairdata

The Pahoa Post Office is open during normal business hours with temporary Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for mail and package distribution only for residents in the affected areas. No retail services on Sunday.

For your safety, heed warnings from Civil Defense officials and stay alert.

Due to the lava entry at the ocean, the following policies are in effect:

  • Access to the area is prohibited due to the laze hazard.
  • Stay away from any ocean plume since it can change direction without warning.
  • The U.S. Coast Guard is actively monitoring the ocean entry area and enforcing a 300-meter standoff zone. Only permitted tour boats are allowed in the area.
  • Health hazards of laze include lung, eye and skin irritation.
  • Be aware that the laze plume travels with the wind and can change direction without warning.

Get the latest Vog Predictions here: http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Vog

Click on image for a full description of air quality levels.

Click on image for full description of air quality levels.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents in lower Puna.

  • Severe conditions may exist such as choking and inability to breathe.
  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) gas from fissures are especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies and people with respiratory problems.

County, State, and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

Monitor vog levels and forecasts: People on Hawaii Island outside the area of volcanic activity are also advised to monitor levels of vog at https://vog.ivhhn.org

The residents of Puna are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your help and understanding.


A live stream of the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at Kīlauea Volcano. Video feed via USGS/HVO


HVO’s mid-day overflight on June 5 shows ongoing partial collapse of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of KÄ«lauea Volcano. To the north of the former visitor Overlook parking area (closed in 2008) is the site of the former lava lake—now a deep hole piled with wall-rock rubble. The western portion of Halema‘uma‘u has moved down and toward the center of the crater as new cracks form on the caldera floor to the west. KÄ«lauea’s summit continues to subside due to withdrawal of magma towards the volcano’s East Rift Zone.


Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) conducted a mission on KÄ«lauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone to collect video of flowing lava in the upper lava channel of fissure 8. Scientists use the video to assess lava flow velocities, which are measured by tracking surface features in the stationary video view. Using UAS for this type of investigation has many advantages because the aircraft can hover above hazardous areas and it utilizes stabilized gimbals and mounts so that the video captured by onboard HD cameras is steady and smooth. Information obtained from this mission was relayed to Hawai‘i County emergency officials to aid in issuing emergency alerts and notices about the timing of evacuations. Video by the U.S. Geological Survey and Office of Aviation Services, Department of the Interior, with support from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

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