Magma pressure strong ~ Halema’uma’u glows brightly again ~ Very high surf warning

After dark last night I was standing on the trailhead of the Hawaii County lava-viewing-area (at the Kalapana end of highway 130) to survey for any molten lava activity. There was none to be seen other than this fuzzy red lava glow reflecting off the mauka clouds far up the pali towards the Pu`u O`o eruption site, as this photo I took shows: Yep that was it; not much to see.

Reports from web cams up on the mountain, and from pilots, describe some hot & active surface flows of lava. If these new flows are reaching and reclaiming the pre-existing lava tube system, it is yet to be seen down slope from there.

Inflationary pressures beneath Kilauea Caldera, including the Pu`u O`o crater remain quit elevated at this time, though the Halema’uma’u pressure has leveled off, as shown of this mornings deformation graph:

Last night I watched the three cams that aim at the active vents: two aimed at Halema’uma’u and one at Pu`u O`o. All three were showing very bright lava glows late into the night. Below are two captures from the Halema’uma’u cams: A broiling lake of molten lava.

The more distant cam view from the Jaggar Museum.

Volcanoes Observatory reports that a possible rock fall subdued the crater pit vent at around 1:40 AM but glow returned afterwards.

National Weather Service out of Honolulu has posted a high surf warning affecting all islands: In brief: ”… A STORM FAR NORTHWEST OF THE ISLANDS WILL BRING A VERY LARGE...LONG PERIOD NORTHWEST SWELL TO THE ISLANDS LATER TODAY. THIS DANGEROUS SWELL IS EXPECTED TO LAST AT LEAST THROUGH MONDAY. …. SURF ALONG NORTH AND WEST FACING SHORES OF KAUAI AND NIIHAU AND NORTH FACING SHORES OF OAHU MOLOKAI AND MAUI WILL RISE RAPIDLY THIS AFTERNOON...REACHING 30 TO 40 FEET TONIGHT AND SUNDAY.

SURF ALONG WEST FACING SHORES OF OAHU AND MOLOKAI WILL RISE RAPIDLY THIS AFTERNOON....REACHING 15 TO 25 FEET TONIGHT AND SUNDAY.