A lava flow has picked up speed and advanced about 340 yards on a path toward the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Highway 130.

The lava is now 1.9 miles upslope of the intersection and is following a steepest-descent path that takes the flow toward the intersection near the Pahoa Marketplace, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said.

On Monday and Tuesday, the lava was advancing at an average rate of 165 yards a day over relatively flat terrain. But the flow began moving faster on Wednesday, when it advanced about 300 yards.

There is no immediate threat to area residents, Hawaii County Civil Defense officials said after an overflight Thursday.

Smoke in the area was moderate Thursday morning with a light north wind blowing the smoke in a south-southeast direction.

A meeting is scheduled Thursday night at the Pahoa High School cafeteria with scientists and civil defense officials to update residents on the lava flow.