June 20, 2025 — Measuring the growing tephra deposit on Kīlauea

A USGS geologist surveys the height of the new tephra cone formed by the recent lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. This tephra cone now towers over, and covers, Crater Rim Drive, which has been closed to the public since 2008. The cone is over 20 meters (65 feet) above the pre-eruption ground surface, and the scale of this growth can be seen by the vehicle in the distance, which is close to the original ground surface level. USGS photo by M. Patrick.