Is it possible or practical to predict vog? The Vog Measurement and Prediction Project (VMAP) is a feasibility study in which scientists will evaluate [are evaluating] whether vog forecasts are achievable and useful. Project collaborators are making the feasibility study available to the public through this Web site, but as an ongoing investigation, VMAP currently provides limited service and reliability. Thus, VMAP users should have no expectation of accuracy or timeliness, and project data should not be used for decision making purposes at this time. Comments and inquiries can be directed to the appropriate contact.

Vog is primarily a mixture of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas and sulfate (SO4) aerosol. SO2 (invisible) reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air to produce SO4 aerosol (visible). SO2 is expected to be the main problem in areas near the vent (Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Pahala, Na`alehu, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates) and SO4 aerosol is expected to be the main problem at locations far from the vent (Kona and farther north and west).

 

Current Conditions

 

To view the Halema`uma`u webcam, click here.

The observed conditions at the stations listed in the table below are actual conditions measured by Hawaii State Department of Health and National Park Service. These values are not modeled predictions. In the case of the aerosol measurements, PM2.5 observed values include SO4 as well as all other aerosols smaller than 2.5 microns including dust, salts, and other pollutants.

 

Station Date
 Time (HST) SO2 HR AVE (ppm) Air Quality Trends
HVNP Vistor's Center 05/22/2013 06:15 0.00 Good Decreasing
HVNP Jaggar Museum 05/22/2013 06:15 0.00 Good Neutral
Hilo 05/22/2013 06:15 0.01 Good Neutral
Puna 05/22/2013 06:15 0.00 Good Neutral
Pahala 05/22/2013 06:15 0.00 Good Neutral
Ocean View 05/22/2013 06:15 0.00 Good Neutral
Kailua-Kona 05/22/2013 06:15 0.00 Good Neutral
Mountain View 05/22/2013 06:15 0.01 Good Decreasing

Station Date
 Time (HST) Aerosols HR AVE (µg/m³) Air Quality Trends
Hilo 05/22/13 07:12 7 Good decreasing
Mountain View 05/22/13 07:12 11 Good neutral
Pahala 05/22/13 07:12 25 Moderate neutral
Ocean View 05/22/13 07:12 19 Moderate decreasing
Kailua-Kona 05/22/13 07:12 28 Moderate neutral
Kihei 05/22/13 07:12 10 Good neutral
Honolulu 05/22/13 07:12 12 Good decreasing

 

For an explanation of the SO2 color scale, click here. For a detailed explanation of the PM2.5 Aerosol color scheme, click here.