A new stream of lava that emerged from Pu‘u ‘O‘o’s north flank early Thursday morning is no longer flowing. ADVERTISING A new stream of lava that emerged from Pu‘u ‘O‘o’s north flank early Thursday morning is no longer flowing. Tina
A new stream of lava that emerged from Pu‘u ‘O‘o’s north flank early Thursday morning is no longer flowing.
Tina Neal, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist in charge, said the breakout had ceased by the time geologists got to the vent on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone on Friday morning. It traveled about 1,600 feet.
“This clearly was a short period of overpressurization at Pu‘u ‘O‘o,” she said.
Neal said the lava emerged from the same tube that has fed the June 27 lava flow for the past 14 months.
That flow remains active, but only within 5 miles of the vent.
Neal said footage of the flow that emerged Thursday received widespread attention after being shown on NBC’s “Today Show.” The show erroneously reported the flow was threatening a subdivision.
While it was associated with unusually high inflation at Kilauea’s summit, Neal said the breakout itself wasn’t much to worry about.
“We’ve seen these things before,” she said.
Neal said it’s possible this inflationary trend could cause additional breakouts or even a new flow on the rift zone.
“We’re watching everything very closely,” she said.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
