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Volcano Travel: Beware the Vog

May 23, 2008 at 11:45 AM | by BS | 2 Comments

Visitors have been enjoying the show at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park since March, when a new vent exploded open in Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea. The volcano has sent a continuous flow of fluffy white gas into the sky, adding some excitement to the park's already impressive lava flows.

But Kilauea has also covered the Big Island in a haze of "vog"--volcanic fog--which is heavy in sulfur dioxide and has some island residents wheezing and worrying for their health. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been among the voggiest areas, leading rangers to close parts of the park nearest the summit, and even temporarily shutter the entire park in April.

The Big Island Visitors Bureau launched a press push this week to bring visitors back to the park, noting that the trade winds returned last Friday, pushing the vog out to sea and creating clearer viewing opportunities.

If you'd rather check the vog from a distance, the NPS has set up a webcam on the volcano.

Related Stories:
· Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park [Official Site]
· Losing Your Cool in Hawaii [Jaunted]
· National Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: bobster1985]

2 Comments

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  1. beatofhawaii com

    Jaunted Member

    Blow wind blow

    It is all up to the trade winds, that to a large degree also control the climate in Hawaii.  These blow from the North and East, and are in effect over 80% of the time (even more in summer).

    Trades keep the VOG back off the the south tip of the Big Island.  That works for most everyone except areas near the park.

    When the trade winds stop, however, the VOG works its way up the state, even blanketing Kauai, some 250 miles to the north.  

    The VOG is completely reminiscent of pre exhaust controlled Southern California.  

    Aloha, http://beatofhawaii.com

    May 23, 2008 at 1:27 PM
    #Permalink

  1. CaroPhila

    Jaunted Member

    VOG

    My friend is on her honeymoon in Kauai and JUST texted me about the vog yesterday. I hope it doesn't make the scene of the Waimaia (sp) Valley any less spectacular.
    May 23, 2008 at 2:22 PM
    #Permalink

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