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/

Lavacam of Fissure 8 in Leilani Estates here.

Kilauea Eruption Update

An aerial view of KÄ«lauea Volcano’s summit taken on August 1. A section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Crater Rim Drive and the road leading to the KÄ«lauea Overlook parking area are visible at lower right. HVO, Jaggar Museum, and the museum parking area are visible at far middle right. A down-dropped section of the caldera floor can be seen to the left of Halema‘uma‘u, a crater that continues to grow. On the caldera rim (upper right) light-colored ash deposits from explosions in May are stirred up by brisk winds, creating a dust cloud that’s blown downwind. Photo taken Wednesday, August 1, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Then and now. It has proven difficult to exactly match past and present views of KÄ«lauea’s summit to show the dramatic changes in the volcanic landscape, but here’s our latest attempt. At left is a photo taken on November 28, 2008, with a distinct gas plume rising from the vent that had opened within Halema‘uma‘u about eight months earlier. At right is a photo taken on August 1, 2018, to approximate the 2008 view for comparison.

Map as of 10:00 a.m. HST, August 3, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of KÄ«lauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

This is a Civil Defense Message for 4 p.m., Friday, August 3, 2018.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that earthquakes continue at Kilauea summit. At 2:24 pm, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred in the summit caldera that produced a rockfall. Fissure 8 continues to erupt lava into the perched channel, sending flows to the ocean at Ahalanui and creating a large laze plume. The margin of the flow at the ocean entry has not advanced and remains approximately 500 feet from the Pohoiki boat ramp.

The following guidelines remain in effect:

• Check all utility connections of water, gas, and electricity for potential damage from earthquake activity.
• Do not access the active flow field due to extreme hazard. Be aware that channel overflows and other breakouts are possible on the active flow field.
• The ocean entry continues to produce a laze plume. Take precautions and stay out of the plume to avoid exposure to hydrochloric acid and glass particles, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Disaster assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawaii County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.

• The Disaster Recovery Center has moved and is now at the Pahoa Community Center, located at 15-3016 Kauhale St., Pahoa. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
• Access placards are available at the Civil Defense office located at 920 Ululani Street in Hilo.

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. Mail delivery has resumed for areas where roadways have reopened. No retail services on Sunday.

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

Ocean entry laze

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 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.

Illustration of KÄ«lauea Volcano from the summit caldera to the lower East Rift Zone.