A lava flow spreading northeast from Pu’u ‘O’o has reached over 2 miles in length, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
A lava flow spreading northeast from Pu‘u ‘O‘o has reached over 2 miles in length, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
The slow-moving flow, which started Jan. 20, is following an older flow from 2007, said Jim Kauahikaua, the lead scientist at HVO.
It’s now about 3.5 kilometers, or 2.17 miles, long.
The flow is also about 3 miles south of the nearest homes. The lava is not expected to threaten those properties since it is not moving in that direction, Kauahikaua said.
To the northeast, in the direction of the flow, the closest structure is approximately 10 miles away, he said.
The lava is not considered a threat at this time, Kauahikaua said, but he acknowledged the potential danger.
“The danger of flows to the north of the rift zone, if it continues to flow north, a lot of people live there,” he said.
“This thing is moving very slowly.
“We’re watching it as carefully as we can.”
The flow is also less than a mile from nearby trees, but it’s unclear if it will reach them.
The eruption at Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kilauea’s summit, will reach its fifth year of continuous activity Tuesday.
Rangers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will offer additional “Life on the Edge” talks at the Jaggar Museum observation deck to commemorate the anniversary.
The 20-minute talks are offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 pm. Tuesday.