Fairly consistent eruptions from Kilauea Volcano

Above: A crescent moon sets into the upper slopes of the Pulama Pali, with numerous lava breakouts next to it. 

Besides the huge molten lava lake within the Halema`uma`u crater floor vent that broils on, the Pu`u O`o crater continues feeding two lava flows: the Kahaualeʻa flow running through tubes, which now reaches about 5 km (3 mi) northeast from the crater USGS/HVO status page  , and the ocean entry lava 10 km (7 miles) south east of the crater.

Current Pu`u O`o lava flow map, courtesy USGS/HVO maps page Shows the active portions of both lava flows: red indicating active sections. (click on it for larger view size)

From all accounts, the Kahaualeʻa northeast flow front is approaching forests after sprawling across older (2007) flows but activity is progressing slowly, somewhat relieving our concerns of that lava heading downhill anytime soon. That flow still has the ability to turn downhill towards the southeast towards Kalapana as it skirts the 2007 flow.

Click on this image for a larger view size for reading my notes easier:

Meanwhile, here are some more images taken yesterday morning of the two ocean entry points along the southeast shores of the Big Island:

Above: Most easterly of the two ocean entries; April 16th at dawn.

 Above: 2nd ocean entry, about 1/3 mile west of the 1st. :building a small lava delta bench.

Click for larger size

Pu`u O`o crater sends lava two directions thru March

Lava continues entering the ocean seven miles downslope of Pu`u O`o crater on the south side of the Big Island. The daytime ocean entry steam plume and evening lava glow can be viewed from the Hawaiian County Lava Viewing Area located  off the very end of Highway 130 near Kalapana.

Here are a couple more early morning photos taken this week.

And this one with a lava spout at the ocean surface:

Click on any image for larger image sizes of all photos.

Meanwhile, up on the other side of Pu`u O`o lava continues slowly advancing northeastward. This could still become a potential new hazard either near Pahoa Town or Ainaloa subdivision... or it could possibly turn southerly and drop down towards Kalapana area... Or simple continue to sprawl across the flatter terrain it currently flows at... Or cease altogether--- It is worth keeping an eye on.

Video footage of ocean entry lava flow Hawaii

A long stretch of coastline now has lava finding the sea.

I put together some clips of the molten lava pouring into the ocean for a short video of the action out there, and also a few still images from this week.

Below are a few more from recent days:

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Click on any still image for larger view window of all of them.

Pu`u O`o continues sending lava to the coast, and elsewhere

Above: (Nearly) Full moon night rainbow taken last evening around 10:00 PM
We are looking west across Kalapana Gardens. The text on the photo describes more of the scene. You can click on it for a larger view window.

The surface lava tube breakout in the middle, just overtop the houses, was new to the overall scene we have usually had these past weeks. It was a bright and intense breakout and had ignited some forest sending balls of yellow flames into the air. This forest kipuka would be very near to where Jack Thompson's place was located until it was consumed by lava on March 2nd last year.

Meanwhile, up on the Pu`u O`o crater lava has been spewing out the northern flank for some weeks now--- Mostly flat terrain right there but if the lava surged heavy and prolonged in that area it could, in time, pose new threats to communities makai of that elevation.
The USGS/HVO have been documenting this event, and the Halema`uma`u Crater well and you can see photos and descriptions on their 'Photos & Videos' web page, which is where I grabbed this great overview image below of the ocean entry lava with the Pulama Pali on the right.

If you click for the larger size you can see, in the shadows on the bottom right, a helicopter and also white pillars that were once the foundation of a cabin until it was taken by lava about five years ago. Also, for those that remember the big Waikupanaha ocean entry we had from January 2008 until January 2011, it was located in the very bottom right corner of the photo.

Photos below: Waikupanaha lava viewing area July 2008 (click any photo for a lager size viewer of all images)                                

Kilauea lava from Pu`u o`o crater robustly (at times) pouring into the sea

Three miles southwest of Kalapana Gardens subdivision, and the terminus of highway 130, molten lava continues to find its way through lava tubes originating from Pu`u O`o crater seven miles upslope.

Many visitors with tour guides and locals make the hike out to this world wonder each day and night; taking about 45 minutes to an hour to walk across the uneven lavascape; depending on conditions.

The volume of lava entering the ocean pulsates over the hours as magma pressures fluctuate within Kilauea volcano's reservoirs. Delivery amounts to the sea also vary with how much lava Pu`u O`o spews within its crater or down the flanks; sending the remainder downslope to the ocean. On the day of these photos the volume of molten lava was low.

Click on any image to open a larger image size view window of all photos. I'll update as new changes occur ~~ Aloha, Leigh

Lava continues entering the ocean

After a week of what was a somewhat inconsistent flow of lava reaching the sea, now seems to be nearly constant.

Many people are making the one hour trek (one way) out to see this lava flow but we are also seeing more injuries and people getting lost out there. If this is your first time hiking to distant lava, I highly recommend going with one of the well established tour guiding outfits; ask around for the most acknowledged guides because their experience and safety will better ensure you having a good trip there and back.

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Lava breakouts are not just at the ocean, there are many molten ruptures taking place day and night all along and on top of the entire coastal plains; from the base of the Pulama Pali two miles to the shoreline.

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Also, back to safety; variable winds lately can switch the sulphur dioxide, degassing from the entire coastal plains, right into your lungs. Not good to breath!!. This wind switching is even more of a danger where the lava enters the sea. There we have sulphuric acids and tiny glass particles and scalding steam; all forming constantly. These things can do more than just irritate the eyes, throat and lungs-- they can quickly cause severe damage. A good respirator should be close in hand when approaching the coastal ocean entry lava zone...

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Well gee.... since I am on a safety rant, maybe it's time to also remind hikers to the lava that the most dangerous area is an ocean entry that has become established and consistent. It is these areas that are quickly forming new land under water and along the flow front above the water. These are called deltas or lava benches. This is very unstable new land that is being undermined by the sea and is very weak rock; like making cement with too much sand in the mix...

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Lava benches will break off without notice; both small sections or hundreds of feet at at time. The result can be extremely explosive; tephra, molten lava rock flying through the air in all directions, a local szunami of hot scalding water, a rush of sulphuric acid and scalding steam, and solid inland cliffs fracturing into the ocean. I am serious about this, I have witnessed this happen many times; luckily from a safe distance. These bench collapses are often small sections but as the one I recorded in Nov. 2010 (two miles east of the current entry) you can see the violent action of a quarter mile of new delta suddenly breaking off in sections in the pre-dawn light. My original blog post on the event HERE Video here below (turn your audio up :):