HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY CURRENT STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 4:12 p.m.

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Kalapana Update

Lava from the TEB vent is flowing through tubes that carry lava down-slope to feed active surface flows in two locations on the coastal plain:

Lava flow activity near Kalapana Gardens was much the same this afternoon as it was yesterday. A few small breakouts on the western margin of the flow had covered some remnants of exposed Hwy 137 pavement, but there was no expansion on the east or north margins of the flow in the past 24 hours.

Most of the lava activity is focused at the two ocean entries southwest of Kalapana Gardens. The western lava delta grew another 50 m (160 ft) to the west since yesterday, and is now about 550 m (1,800 ft) wide.

Scattered flows about 1 km (0.6 mi) west and upslope of the lava-covered Hwy 130/137 intersection look much the same as they have over the past several days.

Public Access Information: Kalapana Gardens is a private subdivision and access will only be granted to subdivision residents. Private property borders highway 130 through Kalapana and no one is allowed access off the highway easement. Police will be monitoring the area.

Also, the FAA has instituted a no-fly zone over the Kalapana Gardens neighborhood to minimize sightseeing helicopter flights over private homes.

Maps, photos, Webcam views, and other information about Kilauea Volcano are available at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php