National park evacuated due to volcanic eruption, rock storm

"Although light and airy, tephra chunks can cause abrasions, and irritate eyes and breathing. Tephra fallout covers road markings, and causes vehicles to skid and slide."

"During that event, falling tephra hit visitors, drawing blood, and it was the first time the Park Service closed the volcano summit since this eruption cycle began on Dec. 24, 2024. The tephra fell over neighborhoods as far away as Hilo and Puna, creating widespread water catchment hazards and requiring a large-scale cleanup."

"According to the park's public affairs officer Jessica Ferracane, the problem occurs when weak winds pair with high fountains, sending tephra straight down over the park and heavily populated areas nearby. During previous eruptions, she said, the tephra and gas have been carried by the trade winds over the Kau Desert and communities to the southwest."

Kilauea volcano erupted on Tuesday morning, producing lava fountains reaching 1,300 feet that transformed into tephra—volcanic rock, ash, and glass particles. Tephra causes abrasions, irritates eyes and breathing, and creates dangerous road conditions by covering markings and causing vehicles to skid. Highway 11 closed between mile markers 24 and 40. This marks the second major eruption this year; a January eruption similarly rained tephra over the park and surrounding communities including Hilo and Puna, causing injuries, airport flight cancellations, and extensive cleanup efforts. Weak winds combined with high fountains direct tephra downward over populated areas, whereas trade winds typically carry it toward the Kau Desert.

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