The June 27 lava flow advanced about 350 yards during the past 24 hours as it continues to traverse a path that is expected to bring the flow to the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Highway 130, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported Friday morning.
“It appears to be a little more focused or committed to that path of steepest descent that goes to that area of the marketplace,” Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said during a Thursday press conference.
The lava is moving in a north-northeast direction and is currently about 1.8 miles upslope of the Pahoa intersection, which is where the Pahoa Marketplace is located. The flow has been advancing since the start of December at a rate of between 100 and 300 yards per day.
“It has been following the typical history that we’ve seen with inconsistent flow rates. We do have days where it appears to be somewhat consistent but when you look at over a period of time it’s an up or down change in the rate of advancement,” Oliveira said Thursday.
U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Acting Scientist-in-Charge Steve Brantley said scientists will be walking the flow on Friday, if possible, to determine if there is a gully that follows the path of steepest descent toward the Pahoa Village Road-Highway 130 intersection. If there is a gully, it could affect the rate of advancement of the flow in the coming days, he said.
“As we compare the potential impact or effect on the advancing lava flow front with the lava flow that moved down the gully on the previous flow in late October, then we might expect the flow to keep moving at this relatively moderate to high rate of a few hundred meters (yards) a day,” he said. “But we don’t have a good sense of whether there is in fact a true gully along that whole path or whether it’s just a few little indentations or increase in the drop in slope.”
While the lava continues to advance downslope, it does not currently pose an immediate threat to area communities, Civil Defense said. Residents located downslope of the flow will be kept informed of any changes in the flow’s activity or advancement.
Civil Defense remains in close contact with businesses in the area of the Pahoa intersection, Oliveira said Thursday. Should the lava continue its current path toward the intersection, he said ample time will be provide for businesses — including the gas station operated by Malama Market — to take action.
Large businesses would need about seven days while smaller businesses would need about three days notice to prepare for the lava, Oliveira said. The gas station at the Pahoa Marketplace would need about three days to prepare for lava inundation, Oliveira said previously.
“We’re still a ways from pulling the trigger and it’s one of those things that were very sensitive to,” he said, “the minute we start to activate any response plan on the biz there is a consequence to that which means customers won’t be able to get the goods and services they need.”
Upslope of the flow front, breakouts continue along the flow pad. The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Wednesday reported a breakout, located about 1.6 miles downslope of Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent, remained somewhat active. It has also widened the June 27 lava flow field by about 220 yards.
There is currently no threat of brush fire. However, that could change in the coming days because of a lack of rain in recent days.
Smoke conditions were reported as light on Friday morning. Smoke from burning vegetation is being blown toward the west. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take precautions and to remain indoors.