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

KÄ«lauea Eruption Information Resources: www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-related/

Crowdsourced Kilauea Eruption lavaflow map here.

Kilauea Eruption Update

Map as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) HST, June 6, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of KÄ«lauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 12:30 pm on Wednesday, June 6. The flow from Fissure 8 remains active, with the flow front entering the ocean at Kapoho. The black and white area is the extent of the thermal map. Temperature in the thermal image is displayed as gray-scale values, with the brightest pixels indicating the hottest areas. The thermal map was constructed by stitching many overlapping oblique thermal images collected by a handheld thermal camera during a helicopter overflight of the flow field. The base is a copyrighted color satellite image (used with permission) provided by Digital Globe.

This animated GIF shows a sequence of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Italian Space Agency’s Cosmo-SkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the caldera area of KÄ«lauea Volcano that occurred between May 5 and June 6 at 6:00 a.m. HST. The satellite transmits a radar signal at the surface and measures the strength of the return, with bright areas indicating a strong return and dark areas a weak return. Strong returns indicate rough surfaces or slopes that point back at the radar, while weak returns come from smooth surfaces or slopes angled away from the radar. Over time, expansion of the summit eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater and the widening of Halema‘uma‘u itself are clear. The last three images in the sequence, from May 29-June 6, show the development of several cracks outside Halema‘uma‘u (also seen in UAS footage of the crater) and inward slumping of a large portion of the western and southwestern crater rim. The west side of Halema‘uma‘u is clearly unstable, and it is likely that rockfalls and continued slumping will occur in the future.

On June 6, at 4:07 p.m. HST, an explosion within Halema‘uma‘u sent an ash and gas plume to a height of about 10,000 feet above sea level. The explosion released energy equivalent to that of a magnitude-5.6 earthquake; a result of the explosion-related energy release was ground shaking felt throughout the summit area. This plume is typical of those produced by the larger explosions that have occurred at KÄ«lauea’s summit.

With careful consideration and planning to avoid ongoing volcanic hazards as much as possible, an HVO scientist who has been studying the behavior of KÄ«lauea’s summit for decades, briefly visited the parking area for the former Halema‘uma‘u overlook (closed since 2008) on June 5 to make direct observations of and gather data from the effects of recent explosions within Halema‘uma‘u. Through these photos, we share with you what he saw and learned. The parking lot is strewn with small ballistic blocks. Most are only a few centimeters across, with the largest blocks around 45 cm (18 inches) in diameter. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Many large blocks appeared to be in depressions in the ash, but upon closer examination, it was concluded that wind had winnowed ash from around the blocks, creating a false impression that the depressions were made by impact. In places, ash has accumulated on the upwind sides and been removed from the downwind sides of the ballistics, giving a smooth streamlined appearance to the parking lot. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

The Halema‘uma‘u parking lot is sliced into blocks by cracks. These cracks, first noted in a very early stage on May 13, now are the dominant features of the parking lot. The cracks, which are circumferential to Halema‘uma‘u, warp and offset the pavement and curbing, as seen here. The crack responsible for warping this curbstone is visible on both sides of it. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

The median between two areas of the parking lot has been warped and broken by cracks. Ash accumulation in the parking area was generally not more than 4 cm (1.5 in) thick. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

The median between two areas of the parking lot has been warped and broken by cracks. Ash accumulation in the parking area was generally not more than 4 cm (1.5 in) thick. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

An even larger crack, shown here, arcs across the parking lot and bounds one of the large blocks mentioned above. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Fissure 8 lava fountain heights fluctuated between about 40 m (130 ft) and 70 m (230 ft) during this morning’s overflight at about 6:30 a.m. HST. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

View of the fissure 8 lava fountain and lava channel that travels to the ocean, a distance of about 12.5 km (7.8 mi). Photo taken during this morning’s overflight at about 6:30 a.m. HST. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Lava enters the ocean in the vicinity of Vacationland at 7 a.m. HST. The ocean entry produces a white plume called “laze,” which drifts downwind. Laze is composed of steam, hydrochloric acid and tiny volcanic glass particles, which can irritate the lungs, eyes and skin. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

Lava entering the ocean in the vicinity of Kapoho Bay is forming a lava delta, as seen from the air during this morning’s overflight at about 7:00 a.m. HST. Photo taken Thursday, June 7, 2018 courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey

This is a Civil Defense Message for 6 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports fissure 8 is very active and producing a large channelized flow that has filled in Kapoho Bay. The lava delta is 1.2 miles wide in the Vacationland area and the flow is expanding northward through Kapoho Beach Lots. The ocean entry is sending a large laze plume into the air along the coastline.

Due to the current volcanic activity, the following is provided for your information:

• The mandatory evacuation order continues for Leilani Estates, Pomaikai Street and to the east.
• The curfew has been lifted west of Pomaikai. Access is for residents with official credentials only.
• If you have been displaced, please fill out a Universal Intake Form at the Recovery Information and Assistance Center (RIAC) at the Pahoa Community Center, Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m. This allows you to register as a disaster survivor so you can apply to receive assistance.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports volcanic gas emissions remain very high from fissure eruptions.  Due to the elevated gas levels, the following is provided for your information:

• A community meeting on volcanic ash and VOG will be held today, Thursday, June 7 in Volcano at the Cooper Center at 7 p.m. tonight.
• You can monitor sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide on Hawaii Island by visiting the Civil Defense website or go directly to www.epa.gov/kilaueaairdata.

The shelter at Pahoa Community Center is open and pet-friendly. The Keaau Armory shelter has reached capacity.

The Pahoa Post Office is open during normal business hours with temporary Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for mail and package distribution only for residents in the affected areas. No retail services on Sunday.

For your safety, heed warnings from Civil Defense officials and stay alert.

Ocean Entry Laze

Due to the lava entry at the ocean, the following policies are in effect:

• Access to the area is prohibited due to the laze hazard.
• Stay away from any ocean plume since it can change direction without warning.
• The U.S. Coast Guard is actively monitoring the ocean entry area and enforcing a 300-meter standoff zone. Only permitted tour boats are allowed in the area.
• Health hazards of laze include lung, eye and skin irritation.
• Be aware that the laze plume travels with the wind and can change direction without warning.

Get the latest Vog Predictions here: http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) and Vog

Click on image for full description of air quality levels.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents in lower Puna.

• Severe conditions may exist such as choking and inability to breathe.
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) gas from fissures are especially dangerous for elderly, children/babies and people with respiratory problems.

County, State, and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

Monitor vog levels and forecasts: People on Hawaii Island outside the area of volcanic activity are also advised to monitor levels of vog at https://vog.ivhhn.org

The residents of Puna are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your help and understanding.