Upslope breakouts remain active, USGS says

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Three areas of breakouts remained active in the upslope portion of the June 27 lava flow, the U.S. Geological Survey reported Monday morning.

Scientists, viewing the flow using web cams, said the were located to the northeast of Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent. The breakouts are located on northern flank of Puu Oo, as well as near Puu Kahaualea, and about 3 to 4 miles northeast of Puu Oo.

The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Wednesday downgraded its alert level for Kilauea Volcano from a warning to a watch.

The observatory said the decision to lower the alert level from “warning” to “watch” was made because the lava flow nearest to the town of Pahoa has remained inactive in recent weeks. Further, officials said, it’s unlikely that the lava tube in the lower reaches of the flow could be reoccupied.

Lava activity that day was limited to four breakouts located in the vicinity of Kilauea’s Puu Oo vent. Lava from the breakouts was moving slowly atop earlier flows and along the margin of the June 27 and Kahaualea flows fields.

Hawaii County Civil Defense on Saturday suspended its daily eruption and lava flow updates.