Lava flow continues sluggish advance toward Pahoa Marketplace

The June 27 lava flow’s slowdown continued Sunday with its front advancing sluggishly toward Pahoa Marketplace.

The flow front was about 0.45 miles from the shopping center Sunday morning after advancing 85 yards in 24 hours. That advance rate is down from 160 yards per day Saturday and 300 yards per day a week ago.

The front remained about 0.6 miles from the intersection of Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road.

It wasn’t clear if the ongoing slowdown was a result of breakouts upslope, terrain or both.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Saturday the flow was about 110 yards wide and was moving through rough terrain.

The flow front consists of two branches. HVO said the southern branch has been stalled since Friday.

Breakouts had been reported in the past week a few miles from the flow front.

Another breakout 1.6 miles from Pu‘u ‘O‘o, the lava’s source, that began Dec. 5 remained active as of Thursday, HVO said.

The Railroad Avenue alternate route was opened Saturday to allow motorists to get used to the packed gravel roadway. The highway remains open.