June 9, 2016 Lava Flowing Southeast
The recent eruption on the southeast flank of Pu’u ‘O’o continues with numerous skylights and a great deal of surface lava on the southeastern flow front. The northeast flow however, appears inactive. No lava was seen Thursday morning in the forest or the surface of the flow field the northeast. However, the southeast flow had several fantastic surface flows, and has now extended its distal tip to nearly two miles from the vent… nearly half way to the pali. Several skylights above that long flow near the vent revealed a tremendous amount of lava rushing past, feeding flows downslope. Pele continues to overplate the flow field, spreading out as she flows. Surface lava seems to wax and wane from day to day, hour to hour, but Thursday morning a great deal of lava was moving very quickly in the lower portion of the flow field. We were also able to access the Pu’u ‘O’o vent today, catching a somewhat obscured view of the active lava lake on the west end. Scientists say lava in the vent continues to drop. The lack of activity to the northeast reduces even further the threat to communities nearby and further downslope. In fact, the USGS says the 6/27 flow that threatened Pahoa a year and a half ago, might finally be dead. Leilani the Hula Girl and Lava Ducky were on board, along with special guest, Denesa Chan. Bruce Omori and I loved flying with Paradise Helicopters’ outstanding pilot, Ryan Moeller. Activity is now over five miles from the closest infrastructure, moving in the opposite direction and hence, is not threatening any communities at this time.
Mahalo to Paradise Helicopters and Bruce Omori at Extreme Exposure