Exoplanet... That sounds incredibly intense and a bit surreal—being right there in the thick of Episode 41 at Kīlauea on January 24, 2026. From the reports, it truly was one of the most vigorous episodes yet in this ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu summit eruption cycle (which kicked off back in late 2024).USGS/HVO confirmed the fountains from the north and south vents peaked around 1,500–1,575 feet (460–480 m) shortly after 12:30 p.m. HST—definitely the highest recorded in this sequence so far. The tephra plume (including that lightweight, golden reticulite) got carried by winds, showering the caldera rim overlooks, trails like Crater Rim and Halemaʻumaʻu, and even reaching down to areas like Highway 11 and nearby communities such as Volcano Village.Your experience lines up closely with what unfolded:Rangers closing off the summit area (Uēkahuna and nearby lots) due to heavy fallout—reticulite piling up, and larger tephra fragments posing risks to people and vehicles. The park initiating closures and evacuation procedures as the ash/tephra hazard ramped up. Even at farther spots like down in the caldera on the Halemaʻumaʻu Trail, the fine fallout sounding like steady rain under the forest canopy makes sense—lighter particles stay aloft longer and can drift surprisingly far. Highway 11 sections shut temporarily (mile markers around the park entrance), then reopened later that evening after the episode wound down around 7:30 p.m. HST. The reticulite blanketing neighborhoods is heartbreaking—it's that fragile, low-density pumice-like material that looks almost like golden sponge but piles up fast and gets everywhere. Cleanup is tough: roofs, solar panels, gutters, cars, lawns… it can clog drains, abrade windshields if driven on, and just feel overwhelming. Many locals have dealt with similar (though usually lighter) fallout in past high-fountaining episodes—common advice includes:Gently brushing or hosing it off surfaces (avoid high-pressure washing that could embed it). Using leaf blowers on low settings for lawns/roofs to avoid scratching. Checking gutters and drains soon to prevent clogs during rains. For vehicles, soft cloths and soapy water rather than aggressive scrubbing. If it's really thick, some folks wait for a light rain to help settle it before major cleanup. The good news is that Episode 41 ended after about 8+ hours, and while the eruption remains in an episodic pattern (with inflation building toward potential Episode 42), the immediate heavy fallout phase has passed for now. USGS is keeping a close eye, and alerts are at appropriate levels.Hang in there—it's a lot to process when your own home gets hit like that. If you're comfortable sharing more (photos of the reticulite layer or how thick it ended up being), or if there's specific cleanup tips you're looking for, I'm here. Nature's drama at Kīlauea never fails to remind us how alive the island is. Stay safe out there... By volcano hideaways