UPDATED 12:26 p.m. July 26: The summit caldera of Kīlauea underwent a collapse-explosion event at 12:09 p.m. today with a equivalent energy of a magnitude-5.4 earthquake, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
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The southern end of the ocean entry of Kilauea lava remains about 150 yards from Pohoiki boat ramp this morning, within the boundaries of Isaac Hale Beach Park, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
“That end of the flow front has moved since yesterday,” Janet Snyder, spokeswoman for Mayor Harry Kim, said. “The margin of the lava flow hasn’t moved (and) the ocean entry is dispersed.”
Fissure No. 8 remains active this morning.
“In the upper area of the (lava) channel, there’s possibly blockage near the ‘Y’ intersection (Highway 132 at Pohoiki Road),” Snyder said.
There has not been a summit collapse-explosion in the past 48 hours “which is the longest interval since July 3” for such an event, she said.
Winds are from the east-southeast, carrying emissions of vog and sulfur dioxide to the west-northwest, upslope to the interior of the Big Island.
“So, we’re going to have some poor air quality today,” Snyder said.
Northeasterly tradewinds are expected to return Friday and last until the middle of next week, pushing emissions to the south and west and improving air quality over the island’s interior.
As of Wednesday, 2,421 individuals have been registered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief assistance, with $4,771,730 in funding approved.
Residents affected by the lava can still obtain disaster assistance at the Disaster Recovery Center, but the center will change its location starting Monday (July 30). The center will remain open for its usual hours — 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays — at Keaau High School until Saturday, but starting next week it moves to the Pahoa Community Center. The new location will maintain the same hours.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
