Geologists and Civil Defense officials reported almost no activity within the lower portion of the June 27 lava flow Friday as a new lava tube forms on the north flank of Pu‘u ‘O‘o.
Geologists and Civil Defense officials reported almost no activity within the lower portion of the June 27 lava flow Friday as a new lava tube forms on the north flank of Pu‘u ‘O‘o.
Tina Neal, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge, said there was “very little to no activity” from the flow’s stalled tip behind Pahoa Marketplace up to Kaohe Homesteads.
She said one possibility is that the flow’s tube system is losing its ability to transport lava downslope effectively.
Whether that’s a temporary or long-term change remains to be seen.
“If no fresh lava is making it to lower portion of the flow, it could stay very quiet up there and remain mostly active in the upper part,” she said.
That would be good news for Puna residents who have watched the flow advance toward Highway 130 in fits and starts for months.
Meanwhile, lava was being supplied to breakouts on the north flank of Pu‘u ‘O‘o and about 1.2 miles northeast of the vent, geologists said.
The breakout on the vent was forming its own lava tube but Neal was cautious to conclude what that could mean for activity downslope.
“We’re not ready to say this is a significant change,” she said, adding that it could be signs of reorganization of the June 27 flow.
“It’s a system we will be watching carefully.”