The front of the lava heading toward the Pahoa Marketplace appeared to have stalled Monday afternoon as the Big Island mayor invited President Obama to visit the lava flow.

But Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists say the flow could restart and breakouts behind the front could overtake it and become a new front in the coming hours or days.

As of Tuesday morning, the flow was about .4 miles from the Pahoa Marketplace and .6 miles from the intersection of Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road.

Civil Defense officials said the lava does not pose an immediate threat to area residents.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Monday the lava is on track to reach the marketplace in at least 10 days. That estimation could change as the lava’s pace has been inconsistent in recent days.

Meanwhile, Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi invited President Barack Obama to view the lava.

Obama and his family are spending their vacation in a rental home on Oahu.

Spokesman Kevin Dayton says Kenoi made the invitation during a meeting last week to update residents about the lava.

Obama’s annual winter vacation in Hawaii is happening as Pahoa prepares for the lava to hit the Pahoa Marketplace shopping center.

There was no immediate comment from the White House on whether Obama will take him up on the offer.