Geologists say a tube system that has supplied lava to the outer reaches of the June 27 flow could slowly be refilling several miles upslope of Pahoa while breakouts continue to keep the threat far from homes.
Geologists say a tube system that has supplied lava to the outer reaches of the June 27 flow could slowly be refilling several miles upslope of Pahoa while breakouts continue to keep the threat far from homes.
Breakouts, or leaks in the tube, were seen as close as 5 miles from Apa‘a Street on Tuesday, compared with 6 miles the day before.
Another large breakout remained active about 1 mile from the lava’s source at Pu‘u ‘O‘o. Combined, the breakouts were robbing the lower portions of the flow of fresh lava, preventing any further advancement downslope.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spokeswoman Janet Babb said there appeared to be a slight increase in the amount of lava coming from the vent, but it wasn’t clear how much the flow rate had changed.
In a lava flow status update issued late Monday evening, HVO said the progression of the breakouts downslope suggest the tube is gradually refilling in that area.
Babb said Tuesday there were no signs the tube system downslope has been damaged. However, it remains to be seen if the tube will begin to refill below the existing breakouts — located between the vent and a series of ground cracks — and what role the leaks in the system will continue to play.
“We can only wait to see how much of the tube system within and below the crack system might be reoccupied with lava,” HVO said in its update Monday night.
Hawaii County Civil Defense also remains in a wait-and-see mode.
“It’s still possible the flow could regenerate … and have lava transported closer to the flow front,” said Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira.
For the time being, access to Apa‘a Street and a 0.5-mile portion of Pahoa Village Road will remain restricted, he said.
“We will definitely open it when it’s safe to do so,” Oliveira said.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation continues to test different types of crushed rock to see if the material could be used to re-establish road access over cooling lava.
Oliveira said no conclusions have been reached regarding its effectiveness.
The next community meeting concerning the lava flow is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Pahoa High School cafeteria.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.