Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Update for Saturday, August 30, 2014

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: The June 27th lava flow remains active. Following a brief reduction in surface activity at the flow front two days ago, overflights yesterday observed renewed activity around the flow front. The steaming ground crack observed the previous day was filled with lava up to the ground surface, with a small amount of lava spilling out of the crack. At mid-day yesterday, the farthest active lava was 11.9 km (7.4 mi) from the vent and 2.6 km (1.6 mi) from the east boundary of the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve.

A Civil Defense overflight this morning found surface flows around the flow front remain active, in roughly the same area as observed on yesterday’s afternoon overflight. Lava continues to issue from the ground crack and enter the forest, creating thick smoke plumes.

Small breakouts also remain active closer to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, roughly midway along the length of the June 27th flow. None of these breakouts were very vigorous yesterday, though some are creeping into forest and producing smoke plumes.

—

—