The Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) is a geothermal energy power plant on the island of Hawaii, the largest island in the state of Hawaii. The plant was shut down shortly after the start of the May 2018 lower Puna eruption, and resumed power generation in November 2020. The eruption had caused lava to flow over a PGV power substation, a warehouse and at least three geothermal wells that had been preventatively quenched and capped when lava fountains erupted nearby, eventually also cutting off road access.
Image: USGS Kīlauea multimedia File 2079
The 2018 lower Puna eruption was a volcanic event on the island of Hawaiʻi, on Kīlauea volcano's East Rift Zone that began on May 3, 2018. It is related to the larger eruption of Kīlauea that began on January 3, 1983, though some volcanologists and USGS scientists have discussed whether to classify it as a new eruption. Outbreaks of lava fountains up to 300 feet (90 m) high, lava flows, and volcanic gas in the Leilani Estates subdivision were preceded by earthquakes and ground deformation that created cracks in the roads.
ʻAʻā lava flows emerging from the elongated fissure 16-20 form channels on May 19, 2018
Ash from Kilauea Eruption, right image shows the height of the plume by color.
Blue flames from burning methane gas in Leilani Estates, on 22 May 2018, 11:30 p.m. HST.
Collapse in the crater of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, creating an ash plume (May 3, 2018)