November 5, 2026 — Two types of clasts in the Kīlauea summit episode 56 tephra deposit

The tephra deposit from episode 56 of the ongoing episodic lava fountaining eruption in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea appeared to have two distinct types of clasts: dense (bottom side) and frothy (top side). This clast had both types and was welded together, likely as the molten material was solidifying and flying through the air. USGS photo by K. Lynn.