(BIVN) – The window for the next eruptive episode at the summit of Kīlauea is open, and the USGS Volcano Alert Level has been raised from ADVISORY to WATCH as lava activity ramps up.
Episode 55 precursory, low-level activity began around 12:45 p.m. on Monday.
Summit reinflation has been very irregular since lava fountaining episode 54 on August 25, yet scientists have been able to calculate a forecast window of September 7 to September 10 for the next episode.
Just before 1 p.m., the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Sluggish noted “winds are currently from the south and fume/steam frequently obscure the camera views.”
A Flood Watch is currently in effect for the entire island of Hawaiʻi due to the passage pf Hurricane Lowell. “Current winds are light from the south and have potential to send volcanic fumes, and possibly tephra during fountaining, northwards past the rim of Kaluapele,” the Observatory stated.
The Aviation Color Code for Kīlauea has also been raised from YELLOW to ORANGE.
