Lava Update | June 10, 2018

Kilauea’s eruption on the lower east rift zone continues, as fissure 8 remains very active with profuse fountaining and degassing. The volume of lava appears to have increased since yesterday, as there were a number of breaches of the channelized flow, one of which was heading toward the Puna Geothermal Venture facility. While these breakouts didn’t appear to have enough volume to be of significant threat, the area these were happening in, may be an indication of a weakness or low point where a substantial rupture may occur. Worrisome is the capacity held in the channel upstream of this spot. Meanwhile, further downslope, the massive ‘a‘a flow above Kapoho seemed to be much more luminescent than in the past few days… maybe the increased volume is the reason… or, could’ve well been the overcast skies… or both. But, regardless, the ocean entry was much more active than yesterday, as the plume was robust, and the shoreline steamy. Truly humbling to witness the new coastline being created after observing such devastation at Beach Lots and Vacationland.

Vigorous fountaining continues at fissure 8, effusing a tremendous amount of lava, while generating a robust plume of sulfur dioxide.

This photo is for my buddy and partner in crime, badass Mick Kalber, as his home sits near the bottom of the frame. I can’t imagine what he and hundreds of other residents continue to endure, day after day, knowing that their homes sit within reach of this eruption. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

A bird’s eye view of fissure 8, and its massive flow to the sea. Note the lighter colored breaches along the edge of the perched channel.

A breach of the perched channel’s dike sent a flow toward the Puna Geothermal Venture facility, while others were flowing over the northern embankment.

Another view of the overflowing perched channel, sending lava toward PGV.

Numerous breaches of the perched channel’s embankments were occurring in this vicinity.

A tighter view of the breach near the PGV facility.

While overall height of the fountaining had decreased, the width increased, and possibly the output as well. The homes in the Leilani Estates subdivision behind the cone, lends some sense of scale to this scene.

The glowing river of ‘a‘a feeds the mile wide flow front that covered the Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland communities.

The new Kapoho coastline continues to change with each passing day, as lava continues to flow from fissure 8.

An intriguing coastline is being created before our eyes… and it’s such a humbling process to witness.