HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – Lava continues to pour into the ocean along the cliffs of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and scientists have noted growing cracks near the Kamokuna lava entry that hint of a growing danger of collapse.

Small collapses were reported by National Park Service staff earlier this week, reports the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. On Thursday, aerial observations of prominent cracks on the surface of the east delta suggest growing instability and thus an increased potential for larger collapse events, scientists reported.

The 61g lava flow extends southeast from Puʻu ʻŌʻō on Kīlauea’s south flank. Activity is presently concentrated along the front of the east lava delta, while the west lava delta was completely inactive.

Today, the USGS repeated its warning to visitors visiting the ocean entry area: