HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK (HawaiiNewsNow) - Episode 41 of Kilauea’s ongoing eruption ended after eight hours, and sent volcanic debris falling over summit overlooks, trails, roads, and surrounding communities.
The U.S. Geological Survey ended shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday after beginning at 11:10 a.m. Officials said that tephhra fall may continue for several hours as ash settles out of the atmosphere.
Officials temporary the summit area of Kilauea volcano along with Highway 11 between mile markers 24 and 32 Saturday because of falling rocks, ash and tephra.
The west portion of Crater Rim Drive has been reopened to Kilauea Military Camp, and the public was advised to proceed with caution.
The east portion of Crater Rim Drive and other areas remain closed due to debris on the road, officials said.
Earlier in the day, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) was not allowing visitors into the park, while rangers were directing visitors at the summit to exit the summit area.
Park rangers also said Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp remained open Saturday afternoon for their guests.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Episode 41 began at around 11:10 a.m. Saturday. North and south vent fountain heights peaked just after 12:30 p.m. with maximum fountain heights estimated anywhere from 1,500 to 1,575 feet.
Weak surface winds along with stronger upper-level winds resulted in widespread tephra falling north and east of the vents.
Some debris close to the size of a grapefruit was reported in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including at Uekahuna, the Steam Vents, Volcano House and Keanakako’i, where the rocks were reported to be still hot when they fell.
“I haven’t seen this one yet. This is uncharted territory for the Volcano Village,” said Eli Schonbrod, general manager for the Lanikai Brewing Company.
Colleen Gifford, a cashier at the Kilauea General Store, has lived on Hawaii Island for 40 years, and she said she has “never, ever seen it like this.”
“It’s amazing, rocks raining from the sky,” she added.
“This is crazy,” said Suzanne Smith, visiting from Virginia. “All of a sudden, we saw in the USGS camera that it was erupting. So we turned around, came back and rented a bike, and we’re going to ride over there again.”
A group of University of Hawaii at Manoa exchange students from the continental U.S. visited Hawaii Island, experienced episode 41, and even have the physical scars to prove it.
“They cut like glass,” said one student. “Honestly, I didn’t notice it, but when it hits you like glass.”
“Ash started falling from the sky,” said another student. “So we had to like run from it basically.”
“It was just an anomaly at the time,” said another student. “Typically, they don’t close the park due to ash falling. So that was just kind of a surreal experience.”
Scientists said smaller tephra was reported in several communities to the north and east, including Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Mountain View and Fern Acres.
Some fine particles have also been reported in communities up to 20 miles east of the summit.
Jessica Ferracane with HVNP said fallout, which landed as far as the Fern Acres subdivision about 16 miles away, was all a matter of timing and Mother Nature.
“What made this eruption number 41 different than past ones is the light wind conditions,” she said. “Normally, that tephra and the gas is carried away by the trade winds, and it goes downwind and it falls over the Kau Desert, not populated area.”
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also confirmed light ashfall in Hilo.
The National Weather Service issued an ashfall warning through 6 a.m. Sunday for East Hawaii Island, Hawaii Island interior, and South/Southeast Hawaii Island.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency advised residents and visitors to take precautionary measures in the area.
The agency provided general safety information and recommends:
- If you have any breathing problems, avoid contact with ash. Stay indoors until it is safe to go outside.
- Close doors and windows, where possible.
- Consider wearing safety glasses and dust masks when in contact with ash.
- Do not drive in heavy ashfall.
- Water catchment systems: Temporarily disconnect the gutters feeding into the tank. Do not reconnect the system until the volcanic hazards (i.e. ash, laze, Pele’s hair in the air) have passed and the ash and debris are washed off the roof, out of the gutters and the tank.
- Use caution when clearing rooftops of ash.
Hawaiian Airlines said eight flights were cancelled in and out of Hilo due to reports of soot and ash on the ground.
Residents in those areas are being cautioned that falling tephra can pose a health hazard or cause minor injuries.
Residents are also being warned that the falling debris, including Pele’s Hair, may contaminate water catchment supplies.
Most lava fountaining episodes since Dec. 23, 2024, have continued for a day or less.
Click here to watch the USGS live feed from Halemaumau.
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