Lava Update | August 12, 2018

Kīlauea continues to erupt on its lower east rift zone, as glow and diffusion of gas from a couple spots within fissure 8 persist.  The surface of the pond is almost entirely crusted over, and is far below the pu‘u’s rim.  There is no visible molten lava throughout the channelized system, only at the ocean entry, and just a few active fingers draining the accumulated material within the mass of ‘a‘a sitting on coastal plain. Pohoiki still remains, although wave action has pushed sand around the breakwall, obstructing the mouth of the boat ramp. See the latest pics below.  I’ve also included photos from last Thursday’s (8/9/18) overflight, as I was not able to do a post then.

Sand has wrapped around the breakwall at Pohoiki, blocking the entrance to the boat ramp. Flows in the area have slowed substantially, so for now, barring any reactivation of the eruption, the bay appears to be safe!!

Sand has wrapped around the breakwall, blocking the entrance to the boat ramp, but it appears that Pohoiki Bay has dodged a bullet!

Residual lava continues to bleed into the sea between Pohoiki to Kapoho, with the most occurring at Ahalanui. Volume is gradually diminishing with each passing day, as no new lava is being fed into the channel from fissure 8.

Just a couple glowing spots within fissure 8 remain, as the pond’s surface has almost completely crusted over. Gases continue to diffuse from fumaroles within the pu‘u, and along the rift.

Mineral crusted tephra near fissure 8 creates an amazing abstract of textures, and a lone skeleton of an albizia (the ONLY albizia I’ve ever loved) adds to the surreal scene.

Gases still rise from the line of fissures, but overall activity continues to trend lower. Rising heat from the eruption zone is still capable of creating the pyro cumulus cloud over the area, if conditions are right.

Lava was still active in the area in front of Isaac Hale Beach Park on Thursday, although at a lower level than the day previous. Sand was pushed to the tip of the breakwall by swells generated by Hurricane Hector.

The ocean entry was still quite active on Thursday.

Lava rivulets pour into the sea at Ahalanui.

Gases rising from fumaroles along the rift, waft above an area surrounded by lava.

A view looking down into fissure 8, and a shrinking lava pond within.

Another cluster of homes surrounded by flows.

Gas/steam output on Thursday was quite high along the east rift zone, and a rising plume from Pu‘u ‘O‘o was also visible in the distance.

Pu‘u ‘O‘o looks entirely different from before this eruption…

Kīlauea caldera and Halema‘uma‘u are dwarfed by Mauna Loa in the distance.

A steam plume rises from Halema‘uma‘u and wisps the caldera floor, while smoke from a huge brush fire cover the slopes of Mauna Loa in the background.