Lava flow widens, but does not advance
A geologist uses a GPS device to measure the leading edge of the June 27th flow, which consisted of a narrow, sluggish breakout Monday afternoon.
The leading edge of a lava flow moving toward Pahoa widened, but did not advance overnight.
Hawaii County Civil Defense reported that the flow continues to be active, but showed no signs of advancement during a morning overflight Tuesday.
Lava advanced about 50 yards toward Highway 130 and the Pahoa Police and Fire stations Monday and is about 635 yards west or mauka of the highway.
The former flow front remains stalled and two other breakouts about 1 to 1.5 miles upslope along the north margin showed little activity and no signs of advance.
Other small breakouts are active. But lava does not pose a current threat to residents, Civil Defense said.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released new photos Monday showing a small active breakout and a geologist measuring the edge of the flow using a gps device.
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Meanwhile, the public viewing area at the Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station will close Tuesday and Wednesday for student visits. The area will close again Sunday as work begins to reopen the facility.
Oliveira said he is looking into alternative public viewing areas.
