Images

Lava entering the ocean in the vicinity of Kapoho Bay is forming a lava delta, as seen from the air during this morning's overflight at about 7:00 a.m. HST.

 Fissure 8 lava fountain heights fluctuated between about 40 m (130 ft) and 70 m (230 ft) during this morning's overflight at about 6:30 a.m. HST.

Many large blocks appeared to be in depressions in the ash, but upon closer examination, it was concluded that wind had winnowed ash from around the blocks, creating a false impression that the depressions were made by impact.

The International Charter for Space and Major Disasters (https://disasterscharter.org/) is a means for space agencies around the world to help with disaster monitoring by providing satellite data to responders and scientists on the ground.

On June 6, at 4:07 p.m. HST, an explosion within Halema‘uma‘u sent an ash and gas plume to a height of about 10,000 feet above sea level.

The vigorous lava fountain at Fissure 8 reached heights of 45 m (150 ft) as shown in this image taken around 9:30 AM.

How do you keep people safe when lava is rapidly advancing through communities? This was just one of the topics addressed during the Cities on Volcanoes 10 meeting in Naples, Italy, last week. Lava flows recently erupted from Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone inundated hundreds of homes in the lower Puna District of Hawai‘i Island.

This view, looking south at Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone, was captured during HVO's 6:00 a.m. HST helicopter overflight today.

This fish-eye view of the lava delta filling the former Kapoho Bay shows that while the delta margin nearest the ocean has cooled somewhat, the lava flow front is still very hot and producing laze (lava haze). Laze is a local hazard composed of acidic gases and volcanic glass fragments and should be avoided.

Views from HVO's helicopter overflight at 1PM HST, show the remains of the Kapoho Beach Lots subdivision and the fissure 8 flow front. The northern flow margin in this area was unchanged from HVO's morning flight and appeared to have stopped advancing at the time of the flight.

A robust laze (lava haze) plume rises from the northern side of the fissure 8 lava flow margins in the former Kapoho Bay.

Map as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) HST, June 6, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Lava fountaining continues at fissure 8, although overnight crews reported reduced heights of 40-50 m (130-164 ft). The fountain has built a 35 m (115 ft) high cone, and an actively-growing spatter rampart on its eastern side.

HVO scientists captured this aerial view of a much-changed Halema‘uma‘u during their overflight of the summit this afternoon.

Map as of 10:00 a.m. HST, June 5, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

As of the morning of June 5, the fissure 8 lava flow front had completely filled Kapoho Bay.

Morning view of Halema'uma'u and the Kīlauea Caldera from the Kīlauea overlook. Heavy steam dominates the view, and strong winds are blowing the plume to the southwest.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, June 4, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

What a difference four days makes! These thermal images of fissure 8 fountains erupting on Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone show a few things: 1) The lava fountains have gained height—with the tallest one growing from 150 ft to over 250 ft. 2) A pu‘u (cone) has built up downwind. 3) The amount of material wafting downwind is greater.

Learn more at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

Video from helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on June 4, 2018, shows lava from fissure 8 entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay. View to the north.