Breakaway lava slithers near empty Hawaii facility
A small flow of lava moved closer to a now-closed refuse transfer station on Hawaii's Big Island, but the main area of the molten rock hasn't crept any closer to the small town of Pahoa.
A U.S. Geological Survey said Sunday that the leading edge of the lava from Kilauea volcano hasn't advanced since Oct. 30. It's about 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road, which goes through downtown.
But lava is breaking away at several spots upslope of that leading edge.
The agency says one lobe was about 22 yards from the transfer station fence, while another was moving toward some abandoned buildings nearby.
The molten rock has been moving toward the town for months.
Many residents in the projected flow path have evacuated, while others have gotten ready.
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This Nov. 7, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows a time lapse camera that USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory scientists were using to monitor a lava tube skylight near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The camera was caught in an overflow of lava surrounding the tripod and melted the power cable. Hawaii County civil defense officials said in a statement Saturday the lava's front remains about 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road. This position hasn't changed since Oct. 30. But lava is creeping out at several spots upslope of the leading edge.(AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey) -
This Nov. 7, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows a time lapse camera that USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory scientists were using to monitor a lava tube skylight near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The camera was caught in an overflow of lava surrounding the tripod and melted the power cable and the camera's container. Hawaii County civil defense officials said in a statement Saturday the lava's front remains about 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road. This position hasn't changed since Oct. 30. But lava is creeping out at several spots upslope of the leading edge.(AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey) -
In this Nov. 8, 2014 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey, a tree lies where it has fallen after lava flow burned through its lower trunk near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawaii County civil defense officials said in a statement Saturday the lava's front remains about 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road. This position hasn't changed since Oct. 30. But lava is creeping out at several spots upslope of the leading edge. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
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