March 27, 2025 — Tree partially buried by tephra from episode 15 of Kīlauea's summit eruption

Photo of a tree partially buried and damaged by the tephra deposit produced by the high fountaining on March 26, 2025, during episode 15 of Kīlauea's summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u. Prior to episode 15, this was a healthy tree growing in a gully, about 130 meters (about 140 yards) west of the rim of Halema‘uma‘u. The tephra from the high fountaining filled in most of the gully, partially buried the tree, removed most of its leaves, broke smaller branches, and stripped the bark in some places. Field geologists smelled a charcoal odor, suggesting parts of the tree or nearby vegetation was smoldering, potentially ignited by from partially molten tephra from the high fountains landing in the area. USGS photo by N. Deligne.