08-31-2007, 06:59 AM
When I left Puna yesterday, I sat on the left hand side of the aircraft. You could clearly see the linear steaming path of this flow. Jim's report is very good, and outlines several scenarios. I think I am a full-fledged Punatic now because I can honestly say that I would probably have bought my house even if the flow had begun before instead of after I opened escrow. Round and round the lava goes, and where she flows, nobody knows. In the meantime, what a glorious place to live. I can't wait to come over full time. It would be very nice if the flow just stopped, though.
Jim seems to say that a lava tube would have to form or the effusion rate would have to increase before it became a problem for residential areas. However, the coconut wireless seems to have formed the opinion that this is a "when" and not "if" flow, that will reach down lower. Perhaps that is why civil defense is urging everyone to listen to the folks at Hawaii Volcano Observatory.
Jim seems to say that a lava tube would have to form or the effusion rate would have to increase before it became a problem for residential areas. However, the coconut wireless seems to have formed the opinion that this is a "when" and not "if" flow, that will reach down lower. Perhaps that is why civil defense is urging everyone to listen to the folks at Hawaii Volcano Observatory.