Lava descends Puu Oo’s east slope

A new lava flow is advancing down the east slope of Puu Oo crater and might pose a threat to the Royal Gardens subdivision if it continues, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Wednesday.

Lava began overflowing the west rim of Puu Oo crater early Tuesday, feeding a new lava flow moving downslope on the crater’s west side.

Two lava lakes are active in Puu Oo, one on the west and the other on the east side of the crater.

Activity took place on the west side of the crater from about 2 a.m. Tuesday until 2:25 a.m. Wednesday, when lava broke through the east rim.

The new fissure fed a lava flow that advanced rapidly downslope to the east.

If the flow continues to advance, it will likely head southeast toward Royal Gardens and could reach what’s left of the subdivision in the next few days, scientists said.

Royal Gardens has been overrun by lava several times and has no paved road access. A handful of people still live there.

Lava flowed over the crater rim last week, but the flows stopped over the weekend.

The Puu Oo crater floor collapsed in early August, dropping the floor level by about 245 feet. Lava broke out from the west side of the crater and advanced for several days before stopping. Lava reappeared in the crater on Aug. 21 and formed two new lava lakes that have been filling the crater ever since.

Lava also drained from Puu Oo on March 5 during the Kamoamoa fissure eruption.

Kilauea Volcano has been erupting since Jan. 3, 1983.