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© USGS

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Volcanic Activity Summary: The June 27th flow remains active with a narrow flow moving about 30 m (100 ft) ahead of the previously stalled flow front and lava breakouts occurring from the lava tube about 8 km (5 mi) behind the flow front near where lava entered a crack system on August 18. The narrow flow front moved about 75 m/day (245 ft/day) since September 29, overtaking the stalled flow front during the past 24 hours. The leading edge is 2.3 km (1.4 miles) upslope from Apa'a St. and 3.3 km (2.1 mi) from Pāhoa Village Road, and approximately 16.4 km (10.2 miles) straight-line distance from the vent. Because this flow is moving very slowly and lava discharge from the vent remains low, we do not offer a projection of its future movement. Our next overflight is scheduled for Friday.

Pāhoa town is in the Puna District of the County of Hawai'i.

Recent Observations:
[Lava flow] A narrow flow has moved about 30 m (100 ft) past the stalled flow front in the past 24 hours. This flow has moved about 150 m (490 ft) since September 29.

Hazard Analysis:
[Lava flow] The June 27th lava flow from Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent is active with fresh lava being supplied to the flow front. The flow is slowly advancing downslope toward Pāhoa town.

Remarks: The Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent in the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea 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. On June 27, 2014, new vents opened on the northeast flank of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō cone and 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. This 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, forming a surface flow that initially moved to the north, then to the northeast, at a rate of 400 m/day (1,300 ft/day). The flow slowed thereafter and, between September 12 and 19, the rate of advancement varied, averaging 225 m/day (740 ft/day). The flow front stalled by September 22, and breakouts immediately behind the flow front advanced less than 30 m/day (100 ft/day) between September 26 and 29. A narrow flow moved 30 m (100 ft) ahead of the stalled flow front during the past 24 hours.

Issued:
Thursday, October 2, 2014, 10:50 AM AKDT (20141002/1850Z)

Source:
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Notice Number:
2014/H11

Location:
N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min

Elevation:
4091 ft (1247 m)

Area:
HI Hawaii and Pacific Ocean

Next Notice:
A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While this VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai'i.