Measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory stopped after the 2022 eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano, when lava flow crossed the access road and took out power lines to the facility. The observatory remains inaccessible by vehicle and without power from the local utility company.

Observatory staff has established limited solar power in four observatory buildings and restored approximately 33 percent of the measurements onsite, including the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps critical CO2 records and other atmospheric measurements.

Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov) or Karin Vergoth 303-632-6413‬ (karin.vergoth@noaa.gov)

Organization(s):

USDA logo
Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos (PMOD), World Radiation Center (WRC), Switzerland

logo_wmo
PFR is part of a small network run by PMOD WRC on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

What does this program measure?

The program measures solar spectral irradiance, atmospheric transmission, and aerosol optical depth. The units of measurement are relative, rsp. (a dimensionless quantity)

USDA Ultraviolet Solar Instruments on MLO Sun Deck (courtesy of Forest M. Mims III)
Solar Sensors at MLO sunset (courtesy of Forrest M. Mims III)

How does this program work?

By passive remote sensing of atmospheric transmission using the Sun as a standard light source.

Why is this research important?

Atmospheric turbidity or Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is a crucial parameter in understanding the radiative forcing of Earth's climate and a core parameter in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch monitoring program.

Are there any trends in the data?

No trends have been established yet.

How does this program fit into the big picture?

What is it's role in global climate change?

Aerosols exert a predominantly cooling effect on climate. Their optical properties in the atmospheric column are summarized by AOD.

Comments and References

Mauna Loa Observatory is a prime calibration site for WMO/GAW PFR network

Lead Investigator(s):

Christoph Wehrli
+41 (0)81 417 51 37

MLO Contact(s):

Paul Fukumura
808-933-6965 (x223)

Web Site(s)

http://www.pmodwrc.ch/pmod.php?topic=worcc

Date Started

2000

Related Programs

Solar Radiation
Air Quality Control

Photographs:

not available