Hawaii lava flow stalls but still considered 'major disaster'

HONOLULU, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The lava flow on the Big Island of Hawaii has prompted President Barack Obama to declare the situation a 'major disaster' as it slowly advances.

The devastating lava flow coming from the Pu'u O'o vent of the Kilauea volcano continues to creep toward the town of Pahoa. The lava is threatening to destroy the major road in the town and is only 300 feet from a home.

The threat of the lava had Obama sign a disaster declaration Monday for his birth state, authorizing the federal reimbursement of local relief efforts.

The lava's main front has stopped, but another finger of lava behind it was advancing. The flow has decimated a cemetery near the town, excepting one headstone, which was considered a "miracle."

Some have suggested diverting the flow from the town, but others disagree due to the high cost and and risk of such an operation. Diverting the lava from Pahoa could just turn it toward another town.

"Whatever the efforts of humans are, they'll be pretty puny compared to the long-term plans of the volcano," said John Lockwood, a volcanologist who lives near Pahoa.