Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists say it remains unclear what direction a lava breakout upslope of Apa‘a Street will take.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists say it remains unclear what direction a lava breakout upslope of Apa‘a Street will take.
The lobe was about 300 yards away from the road as of Friday morning.
Steve Brantley, HVO scientist-in-charge, told Puna residents at a community meeting Thursday evening that the breakout could follow a similar path as the rest of the flow, turn more toward Malama Market, or go in both directions.
So far, the flow has followed steepest paths of descent identified by HVO fairly closely. But Brantley noted it remains difficult to identify topographic features around the breakout that may decide its path.
“It’s a pretty gentle sloped area out there,” he said.
The breakout remains the most active on the flow.
Another breakout flowed into the Pahoa waste transfer station this week but has since stopped, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
A breakout was also active near the Pahoa cemetery.
Smoke conditions were moderate to heavy Friday morning, Civil Defense said. A light south wind was blowing the smoke toward Ainaloa, Hawaiian Paradise Park and Keaau areas.