Another Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving   Thanks to the local reporting by Big Island News, we can watch the newest outbreak of lava from the safety of our house.  Last year we all had a vivid reminder of the power of Pele as we watched lava head directly for our little village of Pahoa.  The map here reminds us of just how close that lava flow came.  We remain thankful that the lava flow shifted dramatically . Thursday, there was another massive flow, but on the north flank.  (I drew on the map to help show both old flow, that reached Pahoa, and where the new outbreak is.)

PUNA, Hawaii – A huge breakout on the north flank of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent on the East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano is sending waves of molten lava cascading downslope. Video of the event was recorded on Thanksgiving by Mick Kalber, filming from a Paradise Helicopters overflight.  If you would like to watch the video by Mick -- just click on this link: NEW Pu'u O'o outbreak

Kalber says the tube opening begins about 150 yards below the vent and over the past two days has sent hot liquid rock more than a quarter mile down the north flank.

The breakout was noted in today’s USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption update. “A breakout close to Puʻu ʻŌʻō was prominently visible on a nearby webcam beginning yesterday afternoon and continuing through the night,” scientists wrote. “The lava flow is not currently threatening any communities.”

...a very special reason to be THANKFUL!  Mahalo!