Volcano eruption in Tonga declared over
26 January 2015
Authorities in Tonga say the volcanic eruption which created new land and which had been active for around five weeks is now over.
The new volcano in the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai region, 65 kilometres northwest of Nuku'alofa, was visited over the weekend by the naval vessel Neiafu.
There is no sign of any emissions of ash, gas or steam coming from the vent of the newly formed land mass.
The new land mass is about 120 metres high and varies between a width of 1.5 kilometres and 2 km
It has joined with Hunga Ha'apai and is about 200 meters short of Hunga Tonga.
All land in the area was covered by dark coloured ash from the eruption and now the sediments have changed into lighter colours due to oxidation.
January 26, 2015 -
June 27 lava flow breakout resumes advance
A breakout from the June 27 lava flow continues to widen and is showing some signs of advancement Monday morning, Hawaii County Civil Defense reports. The June 27 is seen in this Jan. 22 photo.. USGS/HVO/Special to West Hawaii Today
A breakout from the June 27 lava flow continues to widen and is showing some signs of advancement Monday morning, Hawaii County Civil Defense reports. Map courtesy Hawaii County Civil Defense
West Hawaii Today
A breakout from the June 27 lava flow has resumed its advance, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported Monday.
Signs of "sluggish advancement" were observed by officials along the leading edge of the breakout, located on the flow's northern margin about 0.36 mile upslope of Highway 130, north of Pahoa, Civil Defense said. Between Sunday and Monday, the breakout advanced about 50 yards.
The breakout occurred Jan. 9 about 765 yards behind the original flow front, which remains stalled about 660 yards above the Pahoa Marketplace and about 0.5 mile upslope of the Pahoa Village Road-Highway 130 intersection. A breakout on the south margin, just behind the original flow front, remained at a standstill Monday morning.
Two breakouts along the north margin approximately 1 mile to 1.5 miles upslope are showing little activity and no signs of advancement, Civil Defense said. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said last week that the breakout located about 1.5 miles upslope of the leading edge, remained within a drainage area leading to the steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about 1 0.6 mile south of the Makuu Farmers Market.
Officials said they also observed a number of breakouts along both margins of the flow, as well as within the flow pad.
Currently, the lava activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities, according to Civil Defense.
"The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are maintaining close observations of the flow. Residents and businesses down slope will be informed of any changes in flow activity and advancement," Civil Defense said in its morning eruption update.
Brush fire activity has also ceased, thanks to "current and ongoing light rain in the area," Civil Defense said.
Smoke conditions were reported as light to moderate with a light northeast wind blowing the smoke in a southwest direction Monday morning. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and individuals who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
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