New lava flows at Kilauea volcano have slowed and widened and did not advance significantly overnight, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawaii County Civil Defense said today.
“Overflights at 8:30 a.m. this morning and at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon showed both breakouts are approximately the same length as yesterday and remain in areas that have been previously covered by older lava flows,” civil defense officials said in a message to the public.
The new lava flows began Tuesday from the northeast and east flank of Puu Oo Crater.
The larger breakout, on the northeast flank of Puu Oo, is moving northwest in the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve. The smaller breakout from the east flank is moving southeast.
The lava flows do not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities, Hawaii County Civil Defense said Tuesday. However, residents may see a glow from the lava at night.
The larger flow advanced about .6 miles Tuesday and the other flow moved about .75 miles.
The northern flow changed course slightly overnight, but is still headed northwest and is spreading out at the flow front. A lava channel that was active Tuesday has stalled, but the flow is being fed by a new lava channel.
The eastern flow was also widening and did not advance significantly.
The furthest active lava flow, from a breakout on June 27th, extends 3.6 miles northeast of Puu Oo.
The observatory released new videoand photos of the new lava flows today.
Meanwhile, at the summit of Kilauea, the lava lake level in Halemaumau Crater rose to about 75 feet below the crater floor on Tuesday, high enough for spattering to be seen from the Jaggar overlook, and then dropped this morning to about 100 feet below the crater floor.
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Since 1983 Kilauea has been erupting so the question begs, what/where is the source and if the core of the earth, is there a never ending supply. Like a container dripping water, unless replenished it become empty. Thus, somewhere on the earth there must some loss corresponding to the outflow?