A fire hose of lava continues to pour into the sea at the Kamokuna ocean entry, the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports.
The lava stream is roughly 3 to 6 feet wide and plunges about 66 feet into the water sending a plume of steam, hydrochloric acid, and glass particles into the air and drifting downwind.
Offshore, lava entering the sea also produces plumes of hot, discolored water, photos provided by the observatory on Thursday showed. A circular area of dark water in front of the entry indicates a region of cooler water between the split plumes of hotter water.
On Saturday, scientists said Kilauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and at the Puʻu ʻOʻo vent on its East Rift Zone. The episode 61g lava flow entering the ocean at Kamokuna continues to feed surface flows above the pali. The breakout on the upper flow field that began March 5 continues to advance downslope and now spans several hundred yards in width, extending beyond the main 61g flow field margins.
The flows currently pose no threat to nearby communities.
The lava lake at Kilauea’s summit was about 77 feet below the Overlook crater rim when measured late Friday. It fell about 31 feet between Thursday and Friday, according to the observatory.