Lava flows use tubes to head south-east towards Kalapana

The current eruption of Kilauea along the rift zone is now sending lava flows east and southeast. The eruption over the last few months has been mainly A’a lava flows. The recent development of the the lava tubes allows for the quicker expansion of the pahoehoe flows further away from the source. The flows are heading to lower elevations in the direction south-east and towards Kalapana. Much of Kalapana town and its famous Kaimu black sands beach were covered by lava flows in the late eighties. Another round of flows may reach down to the ocean again if the tubes don’t get blocked.

Lava flow trending more east towards forest

The current a’a lava flow along the southeast rift zone of Kilauea is heading more east now and is burning forest that is resident on the somewhat geologically older lava flows. Lower Puna residents who live closer to the coast will start seeing more smoke rising as the flow crunches along into the forest. How long will this flow keep going is the question. It could start picking up speed as it reaches somewhat more slope to the southeast. Then gravity helps it move along and downslope. It might even chug on down to a possible ocean entry by Kaimu, former site of a wonderful black sand beach and surf spots, a place with fond memories for me from the seventies.