Volcanic activity at the 15 fissures in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens has paused Thursday morning, while highly flammable chemicals have been removed from Puna Geothermal Venture.
While no new fissures have formed and no additional structures have been destroyed, the vents continue to release toxic fumes into the area. Access to Lanipuna Gardens is currently prohibited due to high levels of sulfur dioxide, although residents are allowed to return to parts of Leilani Estates.
Shortly after 3 a.m., all 60,000 gallons of the highly flammable chemical pentane that were stored at Puna Geothermal Venture were removed from the facility, just north of Lanipuna Gardens, and moved to Shipman Industrial Park in Keaau. This comes significantly ahead of an earlier schedule reported by PGV spokesperson Mike Kaleikini, who said only 12,000 gallons could be moved by the end of the week.