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Scientists: Lava Oozes From New Fissure

Small Outbreak Follows Earthquake Swarm

POSTED: 10:55 am HST June 19, 2007

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Courtesy: Mick Kalber
Scientists Tuesday spotted a small outbreak of lava along the Upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano.

The outbreak follows a swarm of small earthquakes that shook the area Sunday, KITV reported.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirmed that the lava had oozed from an 800 foot-long fissure in the forest about four miles west of the Pu`u O`o vent.

By 7 a.m., most of the lava had cooled, but steam and gas were coming out of the fissure.

The observatory reported that while the earthquake swarm had abated, the earthquake activity migrated to the fissure area Monday afternoon.

Scientists said the quakes indicated that magma was moving from a summit reservoir at Kilauea toward the east rift, which has widened by more than three feet since the temblors began.

Meanwhile, rangers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park said the Chain of Craters Road from the summit to the ocean remains closed because of the possibility of more volcanic activity.

Rangers also shut down the east access to the park in the Kalapana area Tuesday as a further precaution.

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