New estimate projects lava reaching Pahoa’s outskirts Nov. 1
The flow front remains active, with continued slow advancement towards the northeast over the weekend. The flow front today was 1.1 km (0.7 miles) upslope from ApaÔa St. and 2.2 km (1.4 miles) from Paøhoa Village Road, as measured along a straight line. This photo, looking down flow and taken at a low altitude, shows the flow front direction relative to the transfer station and Paøhoa.
A closer view shows the flow front burning vegetation on Monday.
A view of the flow front from a normal camera (left) as well as from a thermal camera (right). The white box shows the extent of the thermal image. The thermal image shows that breakouts are active at the leading tip of the flow, and are also scattered upslope from the flow front.
Smoke rises from the Puu Oo vent on Monday.
The lava flow heading toward Pahoa has slowed and scientists now project the lava could reach the outskirts of Pahoa on Nov. 1.
The flow advanced only about 45 yards since Monday, Hawaii County Civil Defense said Tuesday morning after a morning overflight of the lava.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists estimated on Monday that the flow is advancing at an average rate of about 80 yards a day, suggesting it could reach Apaa Street on the outskirts of Pahoa in about 19 days.
Over the weekend, the flow moved about 240 yards downslope to the northeast.
The flow is about .6 to .7 miles from Apaa Street, near the Pahoa Transfer Station.
Scientists caution that the lava’s advance has varied significantly during the past month and week, and the projection is subject to change.
At this point, no homes are threatened and no evacuations have been ordered.
Smoke from burning vegetation in contact with the lava was moderate to heavy in the Kaohe Homesteads area, with light winds.
County officials said there is no brush fire threat at this time.
