Hawaii County Civil Defense – 6 a.m. on Wednesday

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the eruption continues in the lower East Rift Zone. Fissure 8 continues to produce a large channelized flow that is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume. Gas emissions from the fissure eruption and at the ocean entry continue to be very high. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also reports that a steam explosion occurred at the Kilauea Summit early this morning, be aware of ash fallout throughout Ka’u.

Due to volcanic and air quality conditions, the following guidance is given:

• The Department of Health recommends limiting outside activities and staying indoors if you have breathing issues.
• You can monitor the latest air quality measurements through the University of Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project, through the line on our Civil Defense website.
• A community meeting on volcanic ash and vog will be held at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday at the Ocean View Community Center.

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

• Leilani Estates West of Pomaikai Street is open only to residents with official credentials.
• Government Beach Road, between Kahakai Boulevard and Cinder Road is open to Waa Waa and Papaya Farms Road only to residents with official credentials.
• There is no immediate threat, but residents in these areas should heed warnings from Civil Defense officials and be prepared to evacuate with little notice.

The shelter at Pahoa Community Center is open and pet-friendly. The Keaau Armory shelter has reached capacity.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory update

The USGS reported at 11 p.m. HST:

Fissure 8 lava fountains continue to heights of 130-140 ft from within the growing cone of cinder and spatter, which is now about 140 ft at its highest point. Fountaining at Fissure 8 continues to feed the fast moving channelized flow that is entering the ocean at Kapoho. Two prominent entries are creating vigorous steam plumes. Offshore of the entries, areas of upwelling have become more dispersed than when initially sighted. The sporadic spattering from Fissures 16/18 of the last several days has diminished.

Last night, USGS reported HVO field crew detected temperatures as high as 430 deg C (806 deg F) in a non-erupting crack in the Lower East Rift Zone. This reading was from Fissure 10. No SO2 gas was detected, and the temperature is consistent with past readings at this site. “An example of how hot many of these fissures remain even days to weeks after they were last active!” scientists wrote on Facebook.

At 3:39 AM HST, another small explosion occurred at Kīlauea’s summit. Preliminary magnitude is 5.4, USGS reported. As with previous events, minor ashfall may occur downwind.