WHAT...An episodic fountaining eruption is occurring within the Kilauea summit caldera. Fountaining episodes typically last less than 12 hours but ash can remain in the air longer depending on wind and weather.
IMPACTS...Varying levels of ash, Pele's hair, and other lightweight tephra may fall downwind of the eruption. Smaller particles can travel farther from the eruption site and may affect communities at greater distances. Low level winds will carry any tephra to the west or southwest of the summit. If the eruption is strong enough to loft tephra above the trade wind inversion, tephra may be carried to the north or northeast.