HILO (INTELLIHUB) — While the United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program maintains that it’s still safe for travelers to visit the Big Island — exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is off limits as vital roadways and other structures have been either incinerated or blocked off by Madam Pele, the Goddess of Fire.
“Yes. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is closed until further notice and areas of the East Rift Zone are closed to all except residents and emergency responders, but it is safe to visit the rest of the island,” an uncanny message posted on the USGS Volcanoes Facebook page stated. “Please do not attempt any lava viewing […] the eruption is still extremely dynamic and dangerous, and responders need to focus on protecting residents and not dealing with sightseers.”
Fissure numbers 7 and 21 are continue to spew lava which is advancing toward Pahoa Pohoiki Road. “Current estimates place the flow front ~250 yards from the road,” a field crew reported in the wee hours.
Kīlauea Message Sat, 26 May 2018 03:03:13 HST: Field crew reports that as of 02:45am Fissures 7 and 21 continue to feed a lava flow that is advancing slowly toward Pahoa Pohoiki Road. Current estimates place the flow front ~250 yards from the road.
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) May 26, 2018
“Kīlauea popping, summit ashy emissions, plume to ten thousand [feet],” a tweet from Friday night explains.
Kīlauea Message Sat, 26 May 2018 01:18:42 HST: Kīlauea popping, summit ashy emissions, plume to ten thousand’.
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) May 26, 2018
A small explosion was detected around 10:08 pm local time on Friday due to lava ocean entry.”
Kīlauea Message Fri, 25 May 2018 23:44:47 HST: Infrasound sensors in the ERZ detected a small explosion from the lava ocean entry at 10:08pm.
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) May 26, 2018
Ash fall is expected.
Small eruptions will continue.
At Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, multiple small eruptions of ash occurred over the past day. One of the largest was at 4:17 PM (May 25), sending ash as high as 12,000 ft above sea level; trace amounts of ash fell downwind. https://t.co/dJp8L1Emgu pic.twitter.com/L3y63uLyqF
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) May 26, 2018
Hawaii Civil Defense has issued an evacuation notice for two island neighborhoods which have become inundated with lava.
Over 82 area homes have been destroyed as of Saturday.
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