Vog has descended onto the West side of the Big Island.
Volcanic smog, or “vog,” filled West Hawaii’s skies Tuesday, obliterating views of Hualalai and blurring the horizon, as Kilauea volcano continued to erupt for a third day, pumping out thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which reacts with the atmosphere and creates the visible haze.
Hawaii Volcano Observatory in Tuesday morning’s report stated several lava fountains remain active on the western side of the downdropped block within Kilauea’s summit caldera.
Volcanic gas emissions in the eruption area are elevated; a sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate of 49,000 tonnes per day was measured Monday afternoon. This is down significantly from the 190,000 tonnes per day measured just after the onset of the eruption on Sunday.
Fanned by southerly winds, the vog typically moves southwest across the Ka‘u District, hitting first areas like Pahala, Naalehu and Ocean View, before getting caught up in sea breezes that bring it toward West Hawaii and onshore.
In addition to visual impacts, vog also creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock, according to the state Department of Health.
Physical complaints associated with vog exposure include headaches, burning, itchy or watery eyes, throat pain, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and even flu-like symptoms. Doctors and officials advise those with pre-existing conditions to make sure they have ample medication on hand.
The best way to keep from becoming “vogged” down? Avoid outdoor activities of all forms, and if you have to venture out, make sure you’re keeping tabs on the air quality and have a plan in place to react quickly should the quality drop. Staying away from smoking and other respiratory irritants, as well as keeping hydrated and generally taking care of oneself help can help, too.
Air quality and other information can be monitored via the Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at vog.ivhhn.org.
The Hawaii Department of Health advises the public to be prepared for air quality impacts due to the eruption. Particulates in the air and levels of sulfur dioxide may increase and fluctuate in various localized areas on the Big Island, causing poor air quality. University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project said small amounts of vog may continue to impact areas southwest of the Kilauea summit caldera, including the Ka‘u district.
The last eruption, which began June 8, petered to a halt just 12 days later.
