Lava Update | September 20, 2018

A bit of cloudy skies hung over Hilo and much of Kilauea’s east rift zone, but not enough to keep us from confirming that there is no visible eruptive activity. Although a bit of gas still vents from the inactive fissures, vegetation in areas downwind that were parched and lifeless, are now showing signs of recovery. Trees, shrubbery, and ground cover are beginning to turn green again with regrowth!  Yay!!  Life ALWAYS finds a way!    See the latest photos below.

Pohoiki Bay is now lined with a beautiful stretch of black sand… the newest beach on the planet!

This stretch of Pohoiki Bay, lined with coconut palms, reminds me of the old Kaimu. So beautiful!

A view of Pohoiki Bay from the ocean.

A view of the new coastline between Pohoiki, at the bottom of the frame, to Kumukahi, the point near the upper left corner.

The forever altered eastern tip of the island.

The new beach at Kapoho has lost its little water feature, as the pond appears to have been filled in with sand.

Much like the surface crust on a pāhoehoe flow, the waves on a massive field of ‘a‘a were created by the flowing mass of molten material beneath. Rising puffs of gas are an indication of how intense the heat still is in the area.

A view of fissure 8, and Mick’s house in the lower right corner!

The surface inside of fissure 8 is crusted over and appears to be static… for now. The interior walls of the pu‘u and channel have been crumbling in, as much of it is overhanging and unstable.

A vent’s last eruption of lava lies on top of a field of tephra.

Part of fissure 8, these little cones continue to vent quite a bit of gas.

Gases continue to vent from the inactive fissures.

This lone albizia on fissure 8’s tephra covered flanks, still stands stark naked, while a few of the coconut trees near it seem to be reviving.

An area to the west of fissure 8 is abound with sulfur deposits… and I’m intrigued by it. I wonder if it has anything to do with me being allergic to it? lol…

A small kipuka straddles the line of degassing fissures.

Ancient craters at the bottom of Leilani Estates are reminders of past eruptions on Kilauea’s east rift zone.

Flow field textures surround two little kipukas, where life begins returning, as green reappears.

A crescent kipuka shows signs of regrowth. I love crescents. lol.

Vegetation returns to this short stretch of Pohoiki Road.