Hawaii’s slow-moving lava flow stalled for now
The sluggish advance of lava from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has slowed nearly to a halt. Officials say it hasn't advanced since last Thursday.
This photo taken on Oct. 31, 2014, and released by the U.S. Geological Survey, shows a hole left behind by a large tree that was surrounded by lava, burned through at its base and collapsed onto the solidified flow surface, near the town of Pahoa, Hawaii. The end of the tree trunk is glowing, and flames from burning wood are emanating from the hole. Geologists say this represents an under-appreciated hazard of the lava flow field, as trees that were surrounded by lava can fall long after the leading edge has passed by. The tip of the flow that remains halted in a Pahoa farmer's yard is now cool to the touch, but a few hundred yards upstream an active stretch of lava is "inflating," or filling with fresh lava. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
This photo taken on Nov. 1, 2014, and released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows a "toe" of Pahoehoe lava oozing out of the edge of the main flow, about 328 yards upslope of the leading edge of the flow, near the town of Pahoa, Hawaii. The tip of the flow that remains halted in a Pahoa farmer's yard is now cool to the touch, but a few hundred yards upslope an active stretch of lava is "inflating," or filling with fresh lava. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
This photo taken on Nov. 1, 2014, and released from the U.S. Geological Survey, shows small breakouts from an inflating Pahoehoe lava lobe in a privately owned orchard near the town of Pahoa, Hawaii. The tip of the flow that remains halted in a Pahoa farmer's yard is now cool to the touch, but a few hundred yards upstream an active stretch of lava is "inflating," or filling with fresh lava. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
The lava flow from the Kilauea volcano moves over a fence on private property near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii in this handout picture from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) taken October 31, 2014. REUTERS/USGS
This Oct. 30, 2014 photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava flow burning vegetation near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Hawaii National Guard is deploying troops to a rural Hawaii town as lava makes a slow crawl toward a major road and threatens to further isolate the community that got its start during the lumber and sugar-plantation heyday. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
This Oct. 28, 2014 photo provided by Pete Stachowicz of Paradise Helicopters shows a lava flow near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The National Guard is deploying troops to the rural Hawaii town as lava makes a slow crawl toward a major road. Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, the National Guard is deploying 83 troops to Pahoa to help provide security. The troops will help with a roadblock and with other safety issues. (AP Photo/Paradise Helicopters, Pete Stachowicz)
In this Oct. 28, 2014 photo provided by Pete Stachowicz of Paradise Helicopters, lava flow has partially buried a cemetery, top center, near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The National Guard is deploying troops to the rural Hawaii town as lava makes a slow crawl toward a major road. Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, the National Guard is deploying 83 troops to Pahoa to help provide security. The troops will help with a roadblock and with other safety issues. (AP Photo/Paradise Helicopters, Pete Stachowicz)
This Oct. 30, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava near the leading edge of the flow oozing over a concrete slab and towards a tangerine tree before solidifying near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lava from a vent at Kilauea volcano has been sliding northeast toward the ocean since June. The flow has slowed but largely has remained on course. Pahoa residents say the lava will reshape the community yard by yard as it creeps toward the ocean. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
This Oct. 30, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows where lava flow has come into contact and inflated against an artificial berm, to a level much higher than that of the berm, on private property near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Note that the flow has inflated to a level much higher than that of the berm. Lava from a vent at Kilauea volcano has been sliding northeast toward the ocean since June. The lava has slowed but largely has remained on course. Pahoa residents say the lava will reshape the community yard by yard as it creeps toward the ocean. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
This Oct. 30, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows a breakout of lava oozing from the margin of the lava flow near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. These breakouts are located about 100 meters (110 yards) behind the leading edge of the flow. Lava from a vent at Kilauea volcano has been sliding northeast toward the ocean since June. The lava flow has slowed but largely has remained on course. Pahoa residents say the lava will reshape the community yard by yard as it creeps toward the ocean. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
The lava flow from the Kalauea Volcano is seen split into two separate lobes in this aerial picture taken near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)
The lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano is seen crossing Apa'a Street/Cemetery Road near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)
The lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano is seen in a U.S. Geological Survey image taken near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)
A Hawaii Volcano Observatory geologist maps the margin of the lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano in a U.S. Geological Survey image taken near the village of Pahoa, Hawaii, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. (Reuters/U.S. Geological Survey handout)
PAHOA, Hawaii — Lava threatening a rural Hawaii town has stopped its slow, forward advance — for now.
Hawaii County Civil Defense officials said Thursday the front of the lava flow has been stalled for about a week. It’s still about 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road, which goes through downtown.
It’s possible the lava could start to be more active in the coming days. Officials are continuing to monitor other parts of the flow where the lava has branched out.
Residents in the Big Island’s Puna district have had weeks to prepare for the slow-moving lava from Kilauea volcano.
On Oct. 26, the flow crossed a country street on the edge of Pahoa. Since then, it’s smothered part of a cemetery and burned down a garden shed. The lava also has also burned tires, some metal materials and vegetation.
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