bob@uhccux.UUCP (06/17/87)
Phase 48 of the current eruption of Kilauea continues, entering its 334th day of contnuous activity as of yesterday. Counting the earlier phases, Kilauea has been in eruption for 54 months now. Current activity includes lava pouring into the ruins of the old Damien Catholic church in lower Puna, and lava flowing into the ocean southwest of Kalapana. The flow into the ocean is "very vigorous" according to Reggie Okamura of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, continuing along a half-mile-long front with several fingers intermittently releasing multiple cubic meters of molten rock into the water. Low clouds canceled a planned survey flight over the vent and down the seven-mile flow yesterday, but the outflow from the vent is almost certainly above the 54-month average of 4.9 cubic meters per second. Cumulative damage from the 54 months of eruption includes the destruction of 48 homes, the church, numerous house lots and roadways, and totals more than $15 million.