HILO — The lava flow from Kilauea’s Puu Oo vent doesn’t appear to be wasting much time getting to the ocean.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the flow had traveled about halfway across the coastal plain with about a mile of terrain separating it from the island’s edge, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
“The flow front is still advancing at a pretty good clip,” said HVO geologist Matt Patrick, adding it had traveled about 700 meters in the past day.
The flow front is staying relatively narrow as it borders higher terrain created by earlier flows, helping to hasten its advance.
Patrick said lava could reach the ocean in a “matter of days” if it keeps this pace. But, he cautioned, “There’s always the possibility it could stall and maybe widen, and that would slow it down.”
Before it reaches the ocean, the flow would meet the emergency route connecting Kalapana and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The route, mainly restricted to pedestrian and bicycle access, is currently being used as part of Hawaii County’s lava viewing area.
Patrick said the flow front was just under a mile away from the gravel road, which was built in 2014 over portions of the former Kalapana-Chain of Craters Road that had been covered by earlier Puu Oo flows.
County Public Works spokesman Barett Otani said the route cost $5 million to build over eight miles, with 75 percent of the cost covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Public Works Director Warren Lee said there are no plans to rebuild the road again if lava crosses it.
The route was created in case a separate lava flow that threatened Pahoa in 2014 crossed Highway 130, the lifeline for thousands of residents in the area. But, luckily, the flow, known as the “June 27” event, stalled twice short of the highway before resetting itself near the vent.
“On the steep section, it moves pretty quick,” Patrick said. “It gets disrupted and stressed and turns into ‘a‘a.”
“In many ways, this is still within range of typical flow activity from Puu Oo,” he added.