Episode 43: Volcano Warning issued for Kilauea due to falling ash and tephra

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK (HawaiiNewsNow) – The U.S. Geological Survey has upgraded the Kilauea alert level to a Volcano Warning due to fallout of the latest high-fountaining at Halemaumau crater.

The National Weather Service also issued an ashfall warning until 5 p.m. Tuesday for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and communities to the northeast, including Volcano, Glenwood and Mountain View.

Episode 43 began Tuesday at 9:17 a.m. HST with more than a quarter-inch of accumulated tephra, including ash and other volcanic particles, reported within the first 90 minutes.

The USGS said fallout up to the size of footballs was reported at lookouts within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, creating hazardous ground conditions.

The National Weather Service said the plume from this episode rose to 25,000 feet. Surface level winds are reported coming from a southerly direction, which means that volcanic gas emissions and fallout may be distributed to areas northeast of the summit.

Communities adjacent and downwind of the eruption need to take necessary precautions for elevated tephra fallout and volcanic gases.

Closures in effect, shelter open

Highway 11 is closed on either side of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) at mile markers 24 and 40. HVNP is also closed.

The County of Hawaiʻi has opened a shelter at Kaʻū District Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala, for residents and visitors impacted by the road closure or falling tephra.

Safety information

Volcanic tephra, including ash, can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. Take necessary precautions to limit exposure.

• If you have a respiratory condition, avoid contact with ash. Stay indoors until it is safe to go outside.
• Close doors and windows, where possible.
• Wear masks, gloves and eye protection when in contact with ash.
• Do not drive in heavy ashfall.

Tephra also can clog and cause other problems with water catchment collection 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.

Road closures may occur without warning.

Click here for updates on Kilauea.

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