June 16, 2018 Lava Channel Complete

Light variable winds over East Hawaii today once again brought horrible vog over most of the flow field this morning… even Hilo suffered the ill effects. The vog and clouds even prevented us from visiting Fissure 8 today. From a distance, it looked like her Fissure 8 lava fountains were lower today, but she continues to pump amazing amounts of lava into the system, feeding enormous rivers that transport the molten rock to the Pacific Ocean in Kapoho. Of note is the fact that the a’a flow entering the ocean has now channelized from Kapoho crater thru what was once Vacationland, and all the way to the ocean. Tons of lava is entering the water there and a billowing plume emanates from the water’s surface. There are also large hot tide pools steaming in the flow field that filled Kapoho Bay… these “hot ponds” almost look inviting!

Mahalo to Paradise Helicopters and Bruce Omori at Extreme Exposure