Posted on 05/12/2018 6:12:42 PM PDT by texas booster
As on noon on Saturday, emergency officials report fissure 16 is venting lava spatter about a mile below the Puna Geothermal Venture property and a mile west, or Kalapana side, of highway 132. No residences are affected at this time, and no lava flow has been generated, civil defense says.
According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Minor spattering activity has been reported from a new fissure (16) that has opened about 0645 this morning about 1 mile northeast of fissure 15 at the northeast end of the existing vent system. No significant lava flow from this new fissure has been reported or observed at this time, but conditions could change quickly. Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the area remain likely.
Summit: An explosive eruption at Halema’uma’u Crater is possible, officials say. This could generate dangerous debris very near the crater (less than one mile away) and ashfalls up to tens of miles downwind.
According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and variable amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent. Occasional rockfalls into the deep vent will produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions.
Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. This morning’s trade winds are carrying the plume and ash to the southwest of the Kilauea summit. Trade wind conditions are expected to continue according to current forecasts.
May I ask:
Are you referring to volcanic activity (lava flows - but also ash in the atmosphere) interfering with air traffic - or do you mean lower demand for seats in aircraft (attributable, e.g., to "spooked" tourists)?
Regards,
Most Hawaiian tourism is booked months in advance so I suspect that once a ticket is bought passengers tend to use it.
Plus, an active eruption without major explosions is good for business.
The aviation code has been raised to RED.
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