July 10, 2025 — Cleaning off solar panels of monitoring equipment at the summit of Kīlauea

Solar panels that power USGS volcano monitoring equipment can be covered with tephra during eruptive episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. These tephra particles can range in size from fine ash to tennis-ball sized and larger.  USGS field engineers visit these stations after eruptive episodes to clean them off and restore power to the stations. USGS photo by M. Warren.