Kīlauea Volcano Erupts 5/28/2018

UPDATE, 5/27/18

Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone
Vigorous eruption of lava continues from the lower East Rift Zone . fissure system in the area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens.

Downrift view of fissure 7 and a line of low lava fountains on Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. Fissure 7 activity increased overnight, with lava fountains reaching 150-200 feet high and producing a large spatter rampart over 100 feet tall. The fountains fed a perched pāhoehoe flow 20-40 feet thick, and a flow that ultimately turned south toward the coast.

(Public domain.)

Fissures 7 and 8 remain the most active eruptive centers of the system and have been feeding lava flows that have advanced northeast onto PGV property. At about 7:00 PM HST, a fast-moving lava flow broke from this area and advanced rapidly to the north and west through the eastern portion of Leilani Estates. Several residents were evacuated in advance of the dangerous and fast-moving flows.

Pāhoehoe lava advancing west from fissure 7 (lava fountain in background) on Leilani Avenue. Fissure 7 activity increased overnight, with lava fountains reaching 50 to 60 m (164 to 197 ft) high.
Activity at Fissure 22 has waned, and Fissure 13 is the dominant source of lava entering the ocean, which is occurring at three minor entry points. Fountaining is occurring at Fissure 8.

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 weakening, and widespread vog is expected on the Island of Hawaii on Monday.

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.

(Courtesy of Civil Air Patrol)

Kīlauea Volcano Summit
Ash continued to erupt intermittently from the vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at Kīlauea's summit, but no significant ash columns have been produced since noon on Sunday. Observations from the ground, by UAV, and by satellite during the past week have documented retreat of the summit vent walls due to collapse of the steep conduit and rim. Trade winds are causing ash fall to the southwest, but are diminishing in intensity as wind patterns shift late Sunday and early Monday. This may bring ashfall to communities around the summit area.
Aerial view of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera and an ash plume billowing from Halema‘uma‘u, a crater within the caldera. The USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar Museum are visible on the caldera rim (center right); Kīlauea Military Camp can be seen in the lower right. Photo courtesy of the Civil Air Patrol.

Earthquakes in the summit region continue as the summit area subsides and adjusts to the withdrawal of magma.

Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high.

Map of most recent lava flow.

Images and story sourced from USGS and public domain