- NWS URGENT WEATHER MESSAGE – ASHFALL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6PM HST MAY 15 FOR THE KAU DISTRICT OF BIG ISLAND
- Volcano Alert Level upgraded from WARNING/ORANGE to WARNING/RED.
- Per USGS, volcanic eruption is underway that poses limited hazards to ground-based communities but includes significant emission of ash into the atmosphere that could affect aviation (e.g. an ash plume that does not yield significant ash fall onto ground communities but does drift into air routes.
- At 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, Kilauea Volcano Summit erupted (19.4N 155.3W). Volcanic ash is expected to reach the surface to the southwest of the Kīlauea Volcano Summit (Halema‘uma‘u Crater), including cities of Wood Valley, Pahala, Punaluu, Naalehu, and Hawaiian Oceanview Estates. Possible harm to crops and animals. Minor equipment and
infrastructure damage; widespread clearnup may be necessary.
- Hawai‘i County Fire Department officials report that air quality is still condition RED around fissures in the southeast area of Lanipuna Gardens and surrounding farm lots on Pohoiki Rd.
- This morning, eruptive activity remained concentrated at fissure 17, with intermittent lava spattering at fissure 18.
- Earlier this morning, a new fissure (20) located near fissure 18 produced two small pads of lava.
- The ‘a‘ā flow spreading from fissure 17 advanced about 380 m (1,250 ft) since 2:30 p.m. HST Monday. The advance of the flow has slowed significantly since Monday afternoon. At 6:45 a.m. HST the flow was nearly 2.5 km (1.5 mi) in length.
- Eruption of ash from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit has increased in
intensity. Ash has been rising nearly continuously from the vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. Ashfall and vog (volcanic air pollution) has been reported in Pahala, about 18 miles downwind. NWS radar and pilot reports indicate the top of the ash cloud is as high as 12,000 feet above sea level, but this will vary depending on the vigor of activity and wind conditions. There are no homes or roads threatened at this time.
- Ash emission from the Kilauea summit vent will likely be variable with periods of increased and decreased intensity depending on the occurrence of rockfalls into the vent and other changes within the vent. At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent.
- The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The TFR restricts flight below 20,000 feet within 12 miles of Kilauea Caldera.
- The flight restriction over Leilani Estates remains in place; flight waivers for drones must be approved by Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency.
- Kau residents are experiencing itchy eyes, sore throats, and headaches due to recent ashfall. Some residents have begun sharing homeopathic remedies to deal with symptoms including the use of baking soda to help lung symptoms, lilikoi for dehydration, and other supplements. Self contained breathing apparatus are being used by residents for particulates and not gas.
- The Enivronmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently deploying additional monitoring stations/ambient air quality stations and working with NWS to identify wind trends. Dust monitoring equipment is en route.
- There is a high concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) near the fissures in Leilani Estates.
- Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (DOH) reports that vog conditions and the presence of SO2 in the air may increase and fluctuate in various areas of the state.
- Volcanic gases, primarily SO2 and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), pose a health risk in the lower Puna District. IDLH for each of these gases is 100 parts per million (ppm); readings near the fissures continue to exceed 100 ppm for both SO2 and H2S.
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STOPGood lord, this gets crazier by the minute. I'm following it closely, I don't think anyone realizes how huge this really is.