January 3, 2025 — Kīlauea tephra blankets closed road
Detailed Description
Pieces of lava (called tephra because they travel through the air before being deposited on the ground) blanket the crater rim downwind of the erupting vents in Kīlauea summit caldera (Kaluapele). Geologists collect samples of this material to analyze later to learn about the magma storage conditions before the eruption. They carry personal protective equipment while working in this closed are of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, such as gas masks and volcanic gas detection badges. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.