After months of inconclusive dithering, a lava flow from a breakout near Puu Oo is making its way downslope.
Although it’s still a mile and a half distant, according to head of security David Taylor, the flow has been visible from the county-operated Kalapana lava viewing area for the last several nights.
“It was better last night, and it seems to get better each night,” Taylor said Monday afternoon. “We’re looking to tonight being a lot better.”
Lava flows are notoriously fickle, and the view tonight will depend on cooperation from the weather and subtle changes in magmatic pressure deep below Halemaumau.
If the flow continues uninterrupted on its current route, it should flow through the destroyed Royal Gardens subdivision on its way to the coastal plain and then to the sea.
“At the recent rate, that’s probably weeks away,” he added.
Monday morning’s report from the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory indicated ongoing surface flows about halfway between Puu Oo and the coast, but HVO webcams recorded only glow in clouds from breakouts over Pulama Pali.
HVO geologist Janet Babb said the ongoing eruption of Kilauea, which is approaching its 30th anniversary in January, is continuing with no major developments.
“There are some scattered outbreaks above the pali, and that’s about it,” she said.
Lava upwelling from deep below the Earth’s crust continues to rise into an active lava lake in Halemaumau crater, then circulates underground for its journey to Puu Oo on the East Rift Zone.
Webcams perched on the north rim of the Puu Oo vent showed heavy fume coming from some of the pit craters before the rain clouds moved in and obscured the view.
Located at the end of Highway 130 outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the lava viewing area is open daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the last vehicle is allowed in at 8 p.m.
For an update on the conditions, call the lava viewing hotline at 961-8093. A recorded message is updated daily.
