Hawaii Lava Flow Map, Update & Video: Evacuations Likely For Kilauea Volcano Area Residents

Authorities are warning residents within Kilauea volcano's flow vicinity of a possible evacuation in three to five days. According to The Weather Channel, the lava is currently advancing towards Pahoa in the Puna district of the Big Island, Hawaii.

Having an estimated width of 60 to 230 feet, the lava moves northeast at a speed of 10 yards per hour, said The Weather Channel. It has reached the Apa'a Street on Saturday morning and is expected to hit Pahoa's main road soon.

The lava's arrival at the Apa'a Street was quick. The Weather Chanel said in another report that before the evening of Saturday, the molten volcanic material had consumed a small shed between the street and the Pahoa cemetery.

Whether or not the lava's smoke will affect nearby residents depends on the course of nature. Big Island Video News cited the earlier statement of Hawaii County Civil Defense as saying: "Smoke from the burning asphalt is not affecting area communities at this time however residents are advised that conditions could change with the varying winds."

Civil Defense added that residents in the lava's flow path are to evacuate on Tuesday, Oct. 28. This schedule is expected to change based on the flow rate.

On Saturday, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory observed that the lava flew variedly. The narrow finger of the flow was recorded to have a speed range of 10 to15 m/hr (11 to 16 yd/hr), which amounts to 240-360 m/day (260-390 yd/day).

Hawaii County's director of Civil Defense Darryl Oliveira said via Daily Mail that officials are constantly informing residents of the lava's movement. He claimed preparedness over the situation, "This is all something we've been preparing for and hoping wouldn't have to happen."

Oliveira added that mandatory evacuation will be ordered once the lava flows in an uncontrollable rate, when people could have difficulty of moving out. Currently, the wind's dispersal of the smoke prevents concentration of harmful gaseous materials in populated areas.

Oliveira predicted that around 50-60 structures will be affected by the lava surge. Seattlepi.com noted that since 1983, the Kilauea volcano has been erupting constantly, with most of the lava flowing southward -- the current situation follows the turning point when the hot matter started forging northeast in the last two years.

Unpredictable as it seems, the lava was reported to threaten Pahoa since June, flowing in various speeds. As for the exact time it reaches Pahoa's main road, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick said that it is uncertain.

USGS HVO's update map is provided below. Note that the pink color indicates the flow area on Oct. 24; the red color indicates widening and advancement on Oct. 25; and finally, the blue indicates the steepest-descent paths.

Watch Civil Defense's update on the lava's speed and direction below.