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USGS / HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY
A geologist takes a sample of molten lava Monday and quenches it in a bucket of cold water to "freeze" the crystalline structure.
PAHOA » Officials are working to re-open a road in a rural Big Island town that’s been closed because of slow-moving lava.
Hawaii County Civil Defense officials say reopening Pahoa Village Road between Apaa Street and Post Office Road began Monday. Officials hope to re-open the road by Thanksgiving.
That section of the road has been closed since lava from Kilauea volcano crossed Apaa Street last month.
The leading edge of the lava has been stalled for several weeks and breakouts upslope don’t pose any immediate threat.
Prior to this period of relative calm, the lava burned down a house and a garden shed.
Officials and scientists continue to monitor the lava flow.
