New Lava outbreak in Upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea
Volcano

USGS HVO News Release
June 19, 2007 9:00 a.m.

The intrusion of magma that was signaled by a swarm of
earthquakes and rift zone widening over the last two days has
finally made it to the surface. Early this morning, HVO scientists
confirmed that a small outbreak of lava had oozed from a 250 m long
fissure in the forest northeast of Kane Nui o Hamo, approximately 6
km west of Pu`u `O`o and 13 km southeast of Kilauea summit. In
addition, steam was issuing profusely from a spot high on the north
flank of Kane Nui o Hamo. This event will be called Episode 56 of
the ongoing eruption.

When observed at about 7 a.m., the lava was cooling and not
advancing. Steam and gas were issuing from the fissure. The outbreak
appeared to be a short one that had been over for at least a few
hours by the time it was seen this morning. This may be related to
the abrupt eastward migration of earthquake epicenters into this
area noted between 3:45 and 5 p.m. yesterday. Small earthquakes
continue to occur in the area at low levels.

The crater of Pu`u `O`o vent was shrouded in steam this morning
and no views were visible. No incandescence was seen in the webcam
overnight. No active surface flows were seen anywhere on the flow
field. The only molten lava seen was a small stream dribbling into
the ocean at Poupou that that may be draining from the Campout tube
system. Gas emission measurements yesterday confirmed that the
activity level at Pu`u `O`o has decreased significantly.

Kilauea summit continues to deflate, although at decreasing
rates. Seismic tremor levels, indicative of subsurface magma
movement, also decreased overnight. GPS receivers in the vicinity of
Makaopuhi crater and Kane Nui o Hamo continue to record extension
across the rift zone; preliminary data indicate total widening of
nearly 95 cm (37 inches).

HVO will post updates at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php.

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Updated: 19
June 2007 (pnf)