USGS Preliminary Analysis_LERZ_7-15-18_v1.1

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Lower channel (below C) The 'a'5 channel has been unstable in the area of Kapoho Crater (C) and beyond to the ocean. Most recently on July 9-10, a channel overflow in the area northwest of Kapoho Crater created a new lobe that advanced south along the west margin of the existing flow and entered the ocean on July 12 destroying a school and a beach park; however, the previous flow to the northeast continued to ooze lava into the ocean along its entire front. Although not fed by any surface flow, the earlier flow north and east of Kapoho Crater to the ocean is still oozing lava into the ocean from its front and could potentially thicken and widen beyond the current flow margins as it has in the past several weeks. Flows advancing from a breach in the northeast side of the channel near Kapoho Crater may enter lavasheds 7 or 8 and again threaten the the handful of remaining structures in the Kapoho Ag Lots and Beach Lots, structures built on the eastern section of the 1960 lava flow, and the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse. Gas and Tephra Hazards Vog Volcanic gas emissions from the fissure 8 vent (fig. 5) have continued to be unusually high since mid- May (over 30,000 metric tons per day—more than 4 times the average daily amount from Kilauea's summit lava lake prior to May 3), coincident with the increase in eruptive vigor. This has caused a significant increase in vog in downwind areas including the Kona coast. When trade winds slacken, easterly and southeasterly winds can blow gases into areas on the east side of the Island of Hawai'i. Fissure 8 is now the dominant producer of volcanic gas on the Island of Hawai'i and will remain so as long as current rates of eruption continue.