Lighter but still widespread tephra was reported across other parts of the Volcano Golf Course community, as well as Volcano Village and Mauna Loa Estates. These areas received sparser fallout ranging up to lapilli in size (larger than 1/16^th inches or 2 mm). More distant communities reported only ash (less than 1/6 inch or 2 mm in size) and Pele’s hair.

Mahalo to residents and visitors who reported fallout using the “Is Tephra Falling?” webtool to share real-time observations. These observations helped responding agencies to track the extent and timing of the fallout. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory relayed these ground observations with the National Weather Service, who used the information to issue Ashfall Advisories and Warnings early in episode 43. 

More than 200 tephra fall reports were submitted in total. The first came in around 10:30 a.m. HST from areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and communities surrounding Kīlauea summit. By midday, reports of ash and Pele’s hair were received from Mountain View, followed by Keaʻau, Pāhoa, and Hilo around 1 p.m. Ashfall observations from communities along the Hāmākua coast began around 2 p.m. The farthest confirmed observations ranged from Kalapana in the south to Laupāhoehoe in the north, with the latter received around 3:30 p.m. 

Tephra fall raises concerns for residents who rely on rooftop rainwater catchment systems, and data from

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 previous eruptions can provide useful guidance on what to expect. Episode 41 on January 24, 2026, similarly deposited abundant tephra on communities near the summit of Kīlauea that rely on rainwater catchment. Scientists and community volunteers collected ash, rooftop runoff, and catchment tank water samples from affected areas to understand how these tephra deposits might affect water quality. 

One of the main concerns is fluoride, which can coat tephra particles and then dissolve into water. Testing found that fluoride in catchment tank water after episode 41 ranged from 0.06 to 0.3 parts per million (ppm), well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limit of 4.0 ppm for public water systems. Runoff collected from roofs during the first rainfall after the tephra fell was higher: 7–10 ppm from roofs that had not been cleared of tephra, and about 1.5 ppm from a roof that had been cleaned. The lower level from the cleaned roof demonstrates how cleaning tephra can meaningfully reduce contamination.

Other potential contaminants associated with volcanic ash, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead, were too low to detect. In most cases, water affected by ash is likely to taste unpleasant or look discolored before contaminants reach levels of health concern.

The largest impact on water quality occurs during the first flush of rain after an eruption, when most contaminants are washed from the tephra. Residents using rainwater catchment systems can reduce risk by temporarily disconnecting downspouts before tephra fall, covering storage tanks, and cleaning tephra from roofs and gutters before reconnecting their systems. These precautions are effective at minimizing impacts, and continued rainfall will naturally dilute any remaining contamination. Additional guidance on protecting catchment water during ashfall is available from The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program.

Tephra is an eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. When clearing tephra, wear personal protective equipment such as a particulate mask, eye protection, gloves, and protective clothes such as long-sleeves, a hat, and covered shoes. More information on cleanup is available at Impacts & Mitigation - Personal Protection PPE.

The area affected by tephra fallout during Kīlauea summit episodes can vary depending on the lava fountaining behavior and wind conditions. As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that may experience tephra fallout.