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Kilauea’s so-called June 27th lava flow remains stalled on the outskirts of Pahoa, but new activity behind the front of the flow suggests that lava is again filling the tube system that feeds the flow.
According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, fresh lava has broken out of the tube 3.4 miles behind the front of the flow, an indication that lava is slowly reoccupying the tube.
The flow slowed over the weekend and stalled on Sunday, coinciding with a cyclical deflation of lava levels within the volcano. The front of the flow is stalled 1.4 miles upslope of Apa‘a Street and just over 2 miles from Pahoa Village Road. Officials said the flow does not pose an immediate threat to area communities.
The flow has advanced 10.2 miles from its source at Pu‘u ‘O‘o crater since the current episode began on June 27. Its total length of about 11.6 miles, including bends, makes it the longest flow in distance since the current eruption of Pu‘u ‘O‘o began, scientists said.
A Hawaii County Civil Defense overflight on Friday morning found evidence of a small breakout about 70 yards northest from the north flank of the flow.
Lava is also oozing from the flow margins at several locations between the fresh breakout and the front of the flow, the observatory reported.
Another overflight is scheduled for Monday.
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