The ongoing eruption of Kīlauea volcano has paused again after its latest hours-long eruptive episode — which started and ended on Saturday — blanketed Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and some surrounding Big Island communities with tephra and ash.
Episode 41 ended at 7:29 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, after a little more than 8 hours of continuous lava fountaining, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
The summit of Kīlauea within HVNP was closed temporarily on Saturday due to unsafe volcanic conditions, according to an announcement the park’s social media, as was a section of Highway 11. The park entrance and highway reopened later that day.
In an update on its Facebook page Sunday, the park said the eruption produced “huge amounts” of volcanic rock called tephra and ash.
“Park roads, trails, buildings, vehicles were coated in chunks of rock, ash and fine strands of volcanic glass called Pele’s hair,” the update noted. “Fountain heights reached 1,575 feet and light winds caused the material to fall around the summit instead of being pushed to the southwest.”
On Monday, HVO said that an estimated 14 million cubic yards of lava erupted in episode 41 and covered about 80% to 85% of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor.
Tephra also was reported in several Hawai‘i Island communities including Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, ‘Ōhia Estates, Mountain View, Fern Acres, Kurtistown, ‘Āinaloa Estates, Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches and Pāhoa.
Kīlauea has been erupting intermittently since Dec. 23, 2024, largely from two vents in Halema‘uma‘u crater within Kaluapele, the summit caldera, HVO noted. These eruptive episodes generally last for less than 12 hours and are separated by pauses that can last two weeks or longer, HVO says.
HVO said Monday that preliminary data indicates that the next episode of lava fountaining is likely two to three weeks away.
In an announcement earlier this month, ahead of episode 41, HVNP noted that the eruption activity is in a closed area of the park but is easily seen from open viewing areas along the caldera rim.
"Stay out of closed areas!" the announcement noted, adding that hazards include volcanic gas, steep and unstable cliff edge, earth crack and falling airborne rock material.
HVNP says, too, that visitation "skyrockets" during eruptions — traffic is heavy and parking is limited. Find viewing locations, parking tips and more at the park website.
January also marks the 17th annual Volcano Awareness Month on Hawai‘i Island. Although the month is winding down, you can still catch a few events in the coming days, with talks planned in HVNP, Hilo and Volcano. Find more information here.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
