Hawaii County Civil Defense interactive map of roadblocks, subdivisions, and eruption fissures: hawaii247.com/lavamap

USGS Resources related to the 2018 Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone eruption and Summit Activity

Lower East Rift Zone Kilauea Eruption Update

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 13, 2018 by Scientist in Charge Tina Neal.

Hawaii County Civil Defense lava map as of 11:13 p.m. Sunday (May 13).

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 13, shows the location of fissure 17, which opened this morning at approximately 4:30 a.m. HST. NOTE: This new fissure was initially referred to as fissure 18 in early reports, but that is incorrect (what was called fissure 17 yesterday did not erupt lava, so this morning’s erupting fissure is actually 17). In addition to fissure 17, the map shows earlier fissures, lava flows, and steaming areas. Inset map (lower right) shows fissures in Leilani Estates in the order they occurred since May 3. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

At 8:00 a.m. HST. A slow sticky a’a flow emerges from a new fissure just over a half mile northeast of the end of Hinalo Street. The new fissure – fissure 17 – is about one half mile south of Hwy 132. Some reports have referred to this fissure as number 18 but that is not correct. Fissure 18 had not erupted by this time. Photo taken Sunday, May 13, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

At 10:31 a.m. HST. Cracks on Hwy 132 marked with orange spray paint to track changes through time. Photo taken Sunday, May 13, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

At 2:00 p.m. HST. View of Fissure 17 looking makai (southward) from Hwy 132. Photo taken Sunday, May 13, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

At 2:00 p.m. HST. This photo reveals a small pad of lava between Fissures 16 and 17 which did not appear in photos of the same scene taken this morning. (Red arrow points to the lava pad.) From the photo it appears that this fissure had stagnated. We have designated this small outbreak as Fissure 18. Photo taken Sunday, May 13, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

This image is from a temporary research camera positioned near Kapoho looking northwest. Webcam image taken Sunday, May 13, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Hawaii County Civil Defense 12:30 p.m. audio message

This is a Civil Defense Message for 6 p.m., Sunday, May 13, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that fissure 18 has opened up near Halekamahina Loop Road between fissure 16 and 17. Active fumes and lava spatter is occurring at this time.  This newest fissure is on private property, do not trespass.

Continued earthquake activity and additional outbreaks in the area are likely.

In addition, HVO has cautioned about the possibility of an explosive eruption at Halema’uma’u Crater due to the withdrawal of lava from Kilauea summit lake. This could generate dangerous debris very near the crater and ashfalls up to tens of miles downwind.

Due to the volcanic activity, the following are issued:

• Residents of lower Puna: there may be little to no advance notice to evacuate, so take this time to prepare. If you evacuate voluntarily, pet-friendly shelters are open at Pahoa Community Center and Kea’au Community Center.
• Highway 132 is closed at Pohoiki Road intersection. Only local traffic allowed on Highway 132 (Pahoa-Kapoho Road) and Highway 137 (Beach Road).
• Highway 130 is closed at the intersection of Highway 132. Only local traffic allowed into Leilani Subdivision. Highway 130 remains closed between Malama Street and Kama’ili Road.
• No one is allowed to go off-road sightseeing. Stay out of the active eruption area. Allow the residents to care for their business.
• Residents of Halekamahina Road are ordered to evacuate and be on the alert for gas emissions and lava spatter.
• Residents of lower Puna: there may be little to no advance notice to evacuate, so take this time to prepare. If you evacuate voluntarily, pet-friendly shelters are open at Pahoa Community Center and Kea’au Community Center.
• Vacation rentals in lower Puna are directed to cease operations to relieve the demand for water as well as reduce the area population so emergency responders can focus on residents who live in the area.
• Hawaii Police Department is enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration’s Temporary Flight Restriction for lower Puna. No helicopter or drone activity is allowed without approval.
• The Civil Defense Recovery Information and Assistance Center (RIAC) will be open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pahoa Community Center.

Service/Utilities/Agency Update:

• The Kalapana Transfer Station is closed until further notice. The Pāhoa Transfer Station on Apaa Street is open 7 days a week, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Hawai‘i Electric Light reminds residents to treat all downed lines as live. Under no circumstances are you to approach or touch downed lines.
• Emergency water restrictions for the Pohoiki, Vacationland, and Kapoho area are still in effect while personnel work to restore service. Water spigots installed near the entrance of Lava Tree State Park and a water tanker in Vacationland are still available for the public to access.
• Evacuated residents can pick up their mail at the Pāhoa Post Office. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Post Office has closed, mail pick up for area residents is at Volcano Village Post Office.
• The Hawai‘i County Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office have established a policy of zero tolerance towards looting or vandalism. Under Emergency Provisions, any looting or vandalism will be treated as a felony.
• Contact the Humane Society for animal information.

Community Message/Alerts:

• Next community meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday (May 14) in the Pāhoa High School Cafeteria. The meeting will be broadcast by Naleo.tv
• Kua O Ka La School will reopen in Hilo on  Monday (May 14).  Grades K through 4 will meet at New Hope Church in Hilo, grades 5 through 12 will meet at the Boys and Girls Club in Hilo.
• The evacuated residents are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your help and understanding.
• County, State, and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

Halemaumau Summit Lake explosive eruption hazard

Hawaii County Civil Defense 4:30 p.m. Saturday (May 12) Kilauea summit explosion hazard audio message

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has cautioned about the possibility of an explosive eruption at Halemaumau.

This is caused by the withdrawal of lava from Halemaumau’s summit lake, which leads to a steam-driven eruption. Such an eruption could generate ash plumes as high as 20,000 feet. The area affected by ash plumes could be as wide as 12 miles.

Should this occur, the following are advised:

• The danger from this eruption is ash fallout. The major response is to protect yourself from fallout.
• If this event occurs while you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities.
• If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.

After the hazard is passed, do check your home, and especially your catchment system, for any impact that may affect your water quality.

This is precautionary information for your safety in the event that there is a Halemaumau explosive event. We want everyone in the Volcano area to be ready, and to remain safe. Do keep yourself informed and on the alert.

This is your Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

Animation of recent quakes around Hawaii Island April 21 to May 13, 2018. Animation courtesy of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.