The PIT

A cold day with cloudy skies few sunny spells and a keen north easterly breeze. Overall the day will be a mild one unless the temperatures drop away overnight Max temp 12.4C now 12.2C, Barometer 1028mb steady, Wind F4 ENE, Rainfall Nil

Sunny Sheffield back up to 13.3C +3.3C above normal. Rainfall unchanged.

A few updates this morning as Activity increases KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone 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 yesterday. The advance of the flow has slowed significantly since yesterday afternoon. At 6:45 a.m. the flow was nearly 2.5 km (1.5 mi) in length. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. And HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Issued: Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 1:23 PM HST Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Notice Number: Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m) Area: Hawaii Volcanic Activity Summary: As of early this morning, eruption of ash from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit has generally 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 10,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, but this may be expected to vary depending on the vigor of activity and wind conditions. 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. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ Resource on vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/

Cloudy very mild breezy Temp 12C Barometer 1024mb rising, Wind F4 NNE, Rainfall nil

Aaah a new update KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Summary: LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts) This morning, activity remains concentrated at fissure 17. Lava flows from fissure 17 have advanced little over the past day. An estimate of advance rate overnight was about 20 yards per hour. The flow is moving generally east south east and as of this morning was about 1.2 miles above Highway 137. A new fissure has opened this morning in the Lanipuna Gardens subdivision northeast of fissure 19. Details will be provided as soon as possible. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts). KILAUEA SUMMIT This morning, the plume from Overlook vent inside Halemaumau is steady and gray due to its ash content. The plume is rising several thousand feet above the ground and drifting to the southwest. Ashfall is occurring in the upper Ka'u Desert and downwind. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for communities downwind: https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=hfo&wwa=special weather statement Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html REMARKS USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. https://vog.ivhhn.org/ Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.

TM figures back up my gut feelings and observations. We've all noticed Spanish plumes lack the humidity of the past. Locally any storms that do encroach my area are normally taken out the high ground to the south and west. The north and east Sheffield have done better as storms have started rebuilding but I suspect their figures are down on what they used to have.

No they haven't said that. What they have said is there's a chance there maybe a return to phreatovolcanism if the lava lake drops far enough to allow ground water to enter the system. These of course may lead to pyroclastic flows and possible a vei 4 eruption. You may even see the caldera collapse as support is removed from it. Or the supply of magma to the rift zone may get blocked and the lava lake rises again and no explosive eruptions occur. We certainly won't see a pintabunto or a st Helens. Anyway no further update today and interestingly media interest wanes even as the action is pickling up again after new fissures open and fresh lava flows.

Sunny Sheffield just outside the CET zone at 13.2C +3.3C above normal. Rainfall unchanged.

A very warm day with sunny spells cloud increasing during the afternoon. Max temp 23.8C, now 21.9C, Barometer 1020mb falling, Wind F2 NW, Rainfall nil

Dry clear mild start Temp 7.7C, Barometer 1021mb falling, Wind Calm, Rainfall nil

Latest update KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Summary: LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts) This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter more than 100 feet into the air, and an advancing lava flow from fissure 17 at the northeast end of the fissure system. As of 630 am the fissure 17 flow had traveled just under a mile roughly east-southeast parallel to the rift zone. It is turning slightly south and at this time is about one half mile south of Highway 132. Fissure 18 that became active late yesterday is weakly active. A fissure 19 has been spotted very near fissure 15 as of about 8 am just northeast of Pohoiki Road and north of Hinalo Street at the east end of Lanipuna Gardens. It is producing a sluggish lava flow. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Yesterday with the onset of activity at fissure 17, powerful steam jets have occurred intermittently near the west end of the fissure. These jets may be responsible for some of the loud sounds reported by residents and emergency workers. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts). KILAUEA SUMMIT Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. Last night several strong earthquakes shook HVO and the surrounding area. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

Sunny Sheffield at 13.2C +3.4C above normal. Rainfall unchanged.

A very warm day with long sunny spells Max temp 21C so far, Barometer 1021mb falling, Wind F2 nnw, Rainfall nil

Mild dry and clear start Temp 6.7C, Barometer 1019mb rising, Wind F1 NE, Rainfall nil

Latest update new fissures new lava flow KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Summary: LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Eruption of lava continues along Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. A new outbreak early this morning just over a half mile northeast of the end of Hinalo St. and about one half mile south of highway 132 has been confirmed. Hawaii County Civil Defense reports the outbreak is on Halekamahina Loop Road. Aerial observations of this new fissure indicate it is at least several hundreds yards long and producing spatter rising many tens of feet into the air. A slow-moving lava flow is moving away from the vent. Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the area remain likely. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts). KILAUEA SUMMIT Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

Not really surprising when you're early on in the month it's quite easy to get quick drops/rises while towards the end of the month it's harder to do so. Try it on your calculator and you'll see what I mean.

Sunny Sheffield at 13.2C +3.5C above normal. Rainfall 15.9mm 27.6%. Apart from Tuesday local forecast has a steady decline on the cards for us. The very hot day for Early may screwing the figures somewhat.

A very mild day with sunshine becoming stronger as the high cloud breaks Max temp so far 16.6C, Barometer 1013mb rising, Wind F2 NW, rainfall 5.1mm

Dry sunny spells after overnight rain. Mild once more Temp 9.8C, Barometer 1016mb rising, Wind F2 W, Rainfall 5.1mm

Latest update KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption A new outbreak has been reported at 6:00 pm just east of fissure 16. Lava from this latest outbreak is actively spattering and degassing but no flow has yet formed. This area was actively steaming earlier in the day. The new fissure (17) is about a half mile northeast from the end of Hinalo Road, very close to fissure 16 that opened about 6:45 am. Activity at fissure 16 produced a lava flow that traveled about 250 yards before stalling about 2:30 pm. HVO field crews are on site and evaluating the new outbreak. Earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide in the area indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely as this eruption continues. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation.

Good interview this morning on Breakfast which showed the misunderstanding by the media whats going on. Kilauea isn't doing anything different from what it has done in the past. What the HVO is talking about is this https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/geo_hist_summary.html The eruption in 1924 was vei 2 while a vei 4 took place in 1790. Like any volcano it can produce a big explosion when there's interaction with water.

Sunny Sheffield at 13.3C +3.8C above normal. Rainfall 10.8mm 18.7% of average

Mostly cloudy a few sunny spells Max temp so far 15.7C now 15.5C, Barometer1015mb falling, Wind F2 SSE, Rainfall overnight 0.6mm

latest update KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Summary: A pause in active eruption of spatter and lava along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone continued through the night. However, earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the general area of Leilani Estates are likely. Overnight, earthquake activity was concentrated on the downrift (east) side of the existing Leilani fissures. High levels of sulfur dioxide continue to be released from the fissure system. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady plume of steam is rising from the Overlook vent. It is expected that occasional rockfalls into the deep vent will produce intermittent, low-level ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible. Nothing like early media reports today suggesting that the volcano is going to do a St Helen's almost.

mmmm nobody updating ??? Anyway Glorous Sunny Sheffield is at 13.6C +4.2C above normal. Rainfall unchanged