May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 tephra fallout at Uēkahuna overlook near Kīlauea summit in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

During the beginning of episode 46 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on May 5, 2026, winds blew from the southeast direction. Volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material were distributed to the northwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu, with fist-sized and sparse smaller clasts reported at Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and between mile markers 31 and 32 on Highway 11. This photograph shows the parking area of Uēkahuna overlook at 9:45 a.m. HST, an hour and a half after the lava fountaining episode started. USGS photo by M. Patrick.