Another moderate quake, small explosion shake Kilauea summit
UPDATE: Tuesday 5:30 a.m.
There was another moderate earthquake followed by a small explosion and ash plume at Kilauea’s summit this morning.
The magnitude-5.3 quake struck at 5:05 a.m., 3.8 miles southwest of Volcano at a depth of 0.6 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The gas and ash emission following the quake reached a height of about 1,000 feet and was blown downwind, the USGS said.
Monday 11 p.m.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said fissures 16 and 18 continue to ooze lava while fissure 6 is mildly spattering. The size and shape of the flow field is virtually unchanged upslope but an additional 120 acres have been added to the western margin of the flow area since Friday.
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The flow front at the coast of Kapoho Bay, fed by fissure 8, is about 1.5 miles across. Lava entry into the ocean is creating a large laze plume.
6:45 p.m.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists say while the fountaining vent known as fissure 8 continues to be very active with a “channelized flow” entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay, lava is now oozing from three other fissures that are being monitored and described as “weakly active.”
Fissures 16 and 18 are oozing lava, while fissure 6 appeared as an orange glow with mild spattering during this morning’s overflight, scientists said. The flow field appears to remain stable.
Fissure 6 reactivated overnight, HVO scientists said earlier today.
Fountains from fissure 8 reached up to 180 feet high, with lava entering the southern part of the Kapoho Bay, near Vacationland. The delta formed there is now about 360 acres. The vent is producing a large sulfur dioxide plume and a large laze plume at the ocean entry, they said.
Hawaii Civil Defense officials say 5,914 acres or more than 9 square miles of land have been affected by the Leilani Estates eruption, which began May 3. A total of 533 homes have been destroyed.
11 a.m.
Fissure 6 reactivated overnight.
The fissure is displaying incandescence and mild spattering, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officials.
Volcanic gas emissions remain very high from fissure 8 eruptions. Winds are expected to bring vog to the central, south and western parts of the Hawaii island.
9 a.m.
Seismic activity continues at the summit of Kilauea after this morning’s moderate earthquake. The fissure 8 vent is producing a large sulfur dioxide plume and also a large laze plume at the ocean entry, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
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Free medical, dental and eye care will be available today, Tuesday and Wednesday at “Tropic Care 2018” at Kea’au High School. Additional screening days are scheduled during the coming weeks.
6:20 a.m.
A preliminary magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the summit area of Kilauea Volcano at 6:13 a.m.
No tsunami is expected due to the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
5:30 a.m.
Lava fountains up to 165 feet high were seen rising from fissure 8 Sunday evening.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officials said the lava ocean entry remained broad with laze blown onshore. Fissures 16 and 18 continue to ooze lava.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
8 a.m.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami is expected from this morning’s earthquake near the Kilauea summit. The 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred at 6:26 a.m., around the same time as an ash eruption.
7 a.m.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said an ash eruption occurred this morning at the Kilauea summit and generated an ash plume. The eruption happened at approximately 6:26 a.m.
The wind is blowing in a southwest direction and ash may affect areas of Volcano and Kau.
Individuals are advised to remain indoors and keep windows closed. Drivers should keep windows closed and ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions due to limited visibility and slippery roads. Drivers should proceed with extreme caution or pull over and park.
Residents should check their catchment systems for water quality after the fallout.
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
6 p.m.
Fissures 8 and 16 continue to be active today and are being monitored closely by civil defense authorities.
Please be advised of the following updates to the shuttle schedules for the Disaster Recovery Center at the Keaau High School Gym:
>> The last bus leaves the Keaau High School Gym at 8 p.m.
>> The last bus leaves the Pahoa Shelter at 6 p.m.
>> There are continuous shuttles between the Keaau Armory & Keaau High School Parking Lot to Keaau High School Gym every 20 minutes beginning at 7:30 a.m.
>> There are continuous shuttles between Pahoa Community Center and Keaau High School Gym every hour beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Noon
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said an explosive event occurred at the Halemaumau Crater at 10:22 this morning. The explosion had the energy of a 5.3 magnitude earthquake.
Fissure 8 continues to remain active with lava fountains reaching 170 feet. Gas emissions remain high due to volcanic activity.
Winds are expected to carry vog to the central, southern and western parts of Hawaii island.
11 a.m.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami is expected from this morning’s earthquake near the Kilauea summit. The 5.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:18 a.m. and likely associated with a summit eruption.
Some areas may have experienced strong shaking.
9 a.m.
Hawaii County Civil Defense reports lava has covered 5,914 acres or an area of 9.24 square miles. A total of 467 homes have been destroyed.
Officials are monitoring fissure 16 today as it oozes lava. Lava is also coming out of fissure 18 and lava from fissure 8 continues to flow into Kapoho Bay.
6 a.m.
The National Weather Service said heavy vog is blanketing the interior and southern parts of Hawaii island. It is impacting Hilo and wrapping around to Kona.
Individuals should monitor air quality and limit outdoor activities if they have breathing issues. Air quality measurements can be monitored through the UH Vog Measurement and Prediction Project at http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/ .
The Disaster Recovery Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Keaau High School Gym. Shuttles to the center leave every 20 minutes from the Keaau Armory and every hour from the Pahoa Community Center.
Shuttle buses will run on the following schedules:
Route 1 — Keaau Armory and Keaau High School parking lot to Keaau High School gym. Continuous shuttle every 20 minutes. The last bus leaves Keaau gym at 8 p.m.
>> 7:30 a.m. – Keaau Armory
>> 7:35 a.m. – Keaau High School parking lot
>> 7:40 a.m. – Keaau High School gym
>> 7:50 a.m. – Armory
>> 7:55 a.m. – Parking lot
>> 8 a.m. – Gym
>> 8:05 a.m. – Parking lot
>> 8:10 a.m. – Armory
Route 2 — Pahoa Community Center to Keaau High School gym. Continuous shuttle every hour. The last bus leaves Pahoa shelter at 6 p.m.
>> 7:30 a.m. – Pahoa gym
>> 7:35 a.m. – Pahoa Community Center
>> 8 a.m. – Keaau High School gym
>> 8:35 a.m. – Pahoa Community Center
>> 9 a.m. – Keaau High School gym
For a list of the information you need to bring with you, or if you want to register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.