UPDATE, 5/29/18, 7:45am HST
Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone
Vigorous eruption of lava continues from the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) fissure system in the area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens.
Fissure 8 reactivated yesterday afternoon and, overnight, was fountaining to heights of 200 feet at times and feeding a lava flow that was traveling to the northeast. That flow was moving atop the Fissure 8 flow that was active the previous night, passing on to open ground and crossing Pohoiki road at about 5am HST. As of 7am Tuesday morning, lava is advancing along the north margin of an earlier lava flow from Fissure 7 toward the PGV access road.
Visual observations early Tuesday morning also confirmed continued weak activity at Fissures 18, 19, and 20. Fissure 18 has produced channelized flows which have advanced about one-third of the way (1.2 mi) toward the coast.
(Photo Credit: Brett Walker, USGS. Public domain.)
Thermal map
(Public domain)
Pele's hair and and other lightweight volcanic glass from high fountaining of Fissure 8 are being transported downwind and falling to the west of the fissure. On Monday night, there were reports of Pele's hair falling in Pāhoa. Residents are urged to minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation similar to volcanic ash.
Latest lava flow map
(public domain)
HVO field crews are on site tracking the fountains, lava flows, and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. Crews are also checking on the status of ground cracks on Highway 130.
Volcanic gas emissions remain very high from the fissure eruptions. Trade winds are forecast to return in the coming days, meaning that vog may impact the southern and western sides of the island.
Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone. Earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past few days and the number of located earthquakes remains low.
Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava in the area of the active fissures are possible. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Hawaii County Civil Defense messages and warnings.
Kīlauea Volcano Summit
Ash continued to erupt intermittently from the vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at Kīlauea's summit. At 1:56am HST, there was a small explosion that sent ash to 15,000' above sea level. The ash cloud rose vertically above the summit and drifted only slightly to the northwest owing to calm winds. The explosion was reported felt by a number of residents in the Volcano area, and it resulted in the emplacement of some incandescent blocks on the east floor/wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ash fall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high.
Story and Maps sourced from USGS and public domain