#LeilaniEstatesEruption #KilaueaVolcano LATEST (May 23 at 2 PM): Aloha from inside #LeilaniEstates which has been identified now by USGS HVO officials as the most active portion of the lower East Rift Zone. Take a look at the fountaining activity just off of Kahukai Street. Here you can see the lava spewing upwards 150 - 200 feet into the air. From this lava fountain you can see the back flow — this stream of lava that is not heading downslope, downrift where most of the lava has been going, but rather in the direction of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant. Now PGV officials tell us they have successfully quenched 10 of 11 wells. That’s a process in which they inject cool water into the wells to remove the heat and depressurize them. An 11th problematic well, however, required plugging from a mud-like substance. They’re closely monitoring that situation to make sure it will hold. However, authorities do admit that they’re not sure that the only hazard posed on the plant is from the potential release of hydrogen sulfide — a deadly gas. Though, they do believe they have mitigated that threat with their efforts to address the wells on property. Now, if in fact, hydrogen sulfide is released — they say they are monitoring and detecting the situation around the clock. They say they are prepared for a mass evacuation. They say they believe the safety is 1.5 miles around the perimeter of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant during the day, and they have extended to that to a 3 mile isolation zone at night. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency officials say they plan to handle that mass evacuation and alert by utilizing the Blackboard message services, but that they would also activate the tsunami sirens if needed and go door-to-door. They admit that there is no certainty that the only risks are posed by hydrogen sulfide. This has been a major concern from the community and why so many in the immediate vicinity have chosen to voluntarily evacuate. They also tell us they don’t know how much hydrogen sulfide, if any, could be released into the atmosphere if lava inundates their property. More questions than answers for sure but for now they are telling the public that they should feel “essentially safe” and that they have taken the situation into control and that there is no imminent danger. We are waiting on a 3 PM status report from PGV. Among the questions we’re asking: 1. What's today's lava status? 2. Is it on property? 3. If so, where? 4. Where is that in relation to the well locations? 5. If not, how far away? 6. How is the mud plug holding up? 7. Can you clarify the EPA isolation zone? 8. Why is there a difference between day and night safety perimeter? 9. Viewers have been asking us for footage of your crews quenching the wells and installing the mud plug, can you please provide that? • Be sure to stay tuned to Hawaii News Now for the very latest developments #HInews #HawaiiNews #HNN #HawaiiNewsNow