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)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL),
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Hawaii public schools, Department of Education (DOE)
The project measured condensation nuclei concentration in particles per cc.
The instruments involved, a garden counter and sunphotometer, were designed by Steven Ryan and constructed by high school students and teachers in 2001. Measurements were made by six high schools around the Big Island plus downtown Hilo. These locations are indicated in the diagrams below.
VOGNET was an educational outreach program for high schools. It contributed to long term monitoring of volcanic pollution around the island. The data can be used in studies of health effects of volcanic pollution.
No trends. Pollution levels vary with changes in meteorological conditions and volcanic emission rates.
It doesn't.
VOGNET was a NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) - Global Monitoring Laboratory, Mauna Loa Observatory community outreach program. It is no longer active.
Steven Ryan
808-933-6965 (x235)
Steven Ryan
808-933-6965 (x235)
None
Started in 1996
Continuous 2002-2005
Retired in 2005
