Hawaii lava flow creeping back towards ocean

Scientists keeping an eye on large lobe on the pali

Kalapana, Hawaii – photos, maps courtesy USGS

A fresh lava flow from the Pu’u ‘O’o eruption has advanced about a mile since last Friday, and geologists believe if it continues on its current path, it will rejoin the older flow field on the coastal plain just west of the current viewing area.

However, scientists warn it is possible that the lava will advance farther east before descending toward the coast.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been issuing daily reports on the Kilauea volcano, as is normal for the scientists under the United States Geological Survey. They say the new surface flows are fed by lava tubes, and that they are advancing slowly to the southeast down the Pulama pali, east of the Royal Gardens subdivision, as indicated by field observations and GOES satellite imagery.

Last year, a surface flow following a similar path rolled down the pali and scorched the kipukas that surround the county’s lava viewing area. The lava even covered part of an older access road by the tourist hotspot.

There has been no ocean entry to wow spectators over the last few months, so certainly the tourism industry awaits the new flow anxiously. However, a recent DI event on the north flank of Pu’u ‘O’o may end up stalling the new surface flow.

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