Volcanic ash that fell in Orchidland Estates from episode 41 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining

Tephra is a word that describes any material erupted by a volcano that travels through the air before landing on the ground. Volcanic ash is tephra particles that are less than 2 mm in size (less than 0.08 in). Volcanic ash fell over much of the District of Puna and part of South Hilo during episode 41 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on January 24, 2026. The lefthand photo shows many of these volcanic ask particles that were collected from a residence in Orchidland Estates that is about 33 km (20.5 miles) away from where lava fountains reaching heights of 450 m (1475 ft) were erupting from the north and south vents in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. These volcanic ash particles include long, but thin and pointy, strands of Pele's hair, as well as small, blocky particles and broken pieces of reticulite with flat flakes that were bubble walls and jagged, spiked triple junctions (look similar to a jacks game set).  The righthand photo is zoomed in on one of these broken reticulite particles, with its jagged, points and with a bit of bubble wall still attached that is reflecting the light.  These volcanic ash particles are compared to a penny for size and most around about the size of the letter "T" in the words along the circumference of the penny, which is about 1 mm (0.04 in tall). USGS photos.