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Lava Update

From the USGS site:

Activity Summary for last 24 hours: Two lava flows continued to advance through Royal Gardens subdivision; one has reached the base of the uncovered subdivision. A second lava flow remained active between the rootless shields and Kalalua Cone. Seismic tremor levels and sulfur dioxide emission rates were elevated to several times background levels at Kilauea summit.

Royal Gardens is the Kalapana subdivision that was mostly decimated by Kilauea’s lava flow some twenty years ago. There are still reportedly two homes standing that are in danger now.

The vog conditions are causing limited visibility - it looks quite like it’s foggy all day long here, on the opposite side of the island from the flow. Closer to the flow sulfur dioxide emissions are a problem:

SO2 concentrations are likely to be at hazardous levels for visitor areas downwind of Halema`uma`u, especially during weak wind conditions or winds from the south. Most people are sensitive to sulfur dioxide at these levels. Children and individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing problems should avoid areas in the south caldera: southwest rift zone, south caldera pullout, and the Halema`uma`u overlook parking lot.

Check out a short video of the flow (and the vog) here.

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