A river of molten lava from an erupting volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island has advanced 10 yards toward a shopping center since Saturday afternoon.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory posted an update on Sunday saying that the lava from the Kilauea Volcano is around 690 yards (less than a half mile) from the Pahoa Marketplace and 1,050 yards (about 0.6 miles) from the intersection of Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road.
According to the observatory, lava flow is occurring at several locations. However, authorities have said that the flow isn’t an immediate threat to residents and businesses in the area.
The Christmas halt
The lava flow was on course to hit the marketplace on Christmas Day. However, it stopped moving before extending 25 yards between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.
The halt in lava flow was a “Christmas miracle” for boutique clothing shop owner Becky Petersen.
In an Associated Press report Peterson said “I don’t know what it is,” but “I know it’s a real blessing.”
“We’re hoping everybody’s coming back here and can have a life again,” said Petersen. “This is the community where we eat. We get our supplies from this area. It’s not just one spot…it’s everyone here together. It serves the community, and without it we’re pretty lost.”