Kilauea Volcano may be getting ready for another event

Looks like another eruption may be imminent. 100's of small earthquakes, many in the ~2.5 range, with a handful in the 3.0-4.2 range, have been recorded in the last couple of days. Plus other signs (inflation/deflation, collapse of a crater floor in the Pu'u O'o vent, etc). Residents in the Puna district have been told to be prepared to evacuate immediately in the event of an eruption.

I had a thread here (not sure where it went, but may have been archived??) a couple of years back where an eruption during that time caused lava to come literally to the edge of one of the towns (some property being damaged) before stopping. Depending on how far down the East Rift Zone this recent intrusion has gone, Puna may not be so lucky if there is an eruption close by.

“Magma has now migrated into a lower part of the East Rift Zone,” Babb said. “The concern is that the intrusion migrated about 10 miles down rift into the area where Highway 130 is.” ~Janet Babb, USGS geologist

http://www.civilbeat.org/2018/05/earthquakes-crater-collapse-on-kilauea-may-indicate-new-eruption/

 

Another short article.

"Kauahikaua said that the current seismic activity is similar to what preceded an eruption of Kilauea Volcano in the lower Puna district in 1955.

During that eruption which started in February 1955, at least 24 separate volcanic vents opened up and down the volcano's East Rift Zone, with lava flows covering about 3,900 acres of land. Coastal communities from Kalapana to Kapoho were evacuated, and sections of every public road to the coastline were buried by lava before the eruption abruptly ended on May 26, 1955."

http://www.khon2.com/news/local-new...ible-eruption-from-kilauea-volcano/1155831630

 

About an hour ago, my friend did a Facebook Live on Pohoiki Rd in Pahoa which showed a crack that had developed in the road there, and in real time was apparently getting a little wider by the minute. A crack also developed in Leilani Estates, which as best as I can tell, is approximately 1500-2000 feet from Pohoiki Rd. The cracks are one in the same.

USGS people were at the location (and the Leilani Estates cracks also I'm guessing), and they're worried that the lava has gathered there. If that's the case, that's NOT a good thing. Kinda surreal to think that we could very well witness the beginning of a volcanic event at anytime. Obviously, no one knows what kind of event it will be, if it's just lava pooling up or an explosive event.

What has the USGS people worried is that lava from Halemaumau crater has drained throughout the day.

 

It sounds like (I Don't know) an eruption would effect all of Hawaii-- Not knowing just how large the island is. How are you and yours doing/preparing? Are you close and what would you have us pray for?

 

I'm on the same island, but about an hour+ away from where the "action" is. So we're pretty safe.

 

As far as I know, no evacuations have been given yet. Also, no white smoke being released from said cracks, so that's a good thing.

 

It is classified as a "non-emergency" event being that there is no steam or sulfuric order emanating from the cracks.

 

Thanks, I am not one to live on an island or go on a cruise in the ocean so..you are probably more comfortable.

 

What's the worst scenario that can happen where you live and what's the worst scenario for the rest of the island?

 

For where my home location is at, I'm more worried about a large (6+), long rumbling earthquake occurring, being my house is an older, single wall construction house. It withstood back to back 6.5+ tremors back in 2006, but those quakes originated a pretty good distance from shore to the northwest of Hawaii Island. I was living on Oahu at the time (about a 45 minute plane trip away to the northwest), and it was huge there. But if it strikes more on land and is shallower, that'll be a whole 'nother story.

Regarding the lava and potential eruption, depending where (and IF) it released, it could wipe out a good portion of Puna. And if the eruption lasts long enough, depending on direction, the flow may reach the ocean.

 

Around 10:30 am (approx. 5 1/2 hours ago), we had a 5.0 quake which may have been associated with another collapse of the floor in the Pu'u O'o vent, as both events happened nearly simultaneously. Pink ash was seen being spewed out from the crater shortly after. Also, the lava pool level in Halemaumau crater dropped by an estimated 75 - 120 feet, which is what USGS/HVO scientists were worried about, as more lava could be heading down toward Puna underground.

 

Lava has erupted in Leilani Estates.

I was going to posts more updates, but my dad fell down the stairs this morning, so we're at the hospital now. Will update more later.

 

Evacuation in process in Leilani Estates.

 

For those who have Facebook, go to the Hawaii News Now page and check out the live vids. They have drone footage.

 

This particular episode ended at approx. 6:30 pm, so the eruption went on for about 2 hours. I read somewhere that the fissure was about 150-200 yards long.