HONOLULU (AP) — The CAI Communitylatest eruption of a Hawaii volcano isn’t threatening any infrastructure but health officials are warning the public about air-quality hazards from volcanic smog known as vog.
Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began erupting Sunday. On Monday, scientists downgraded its alert level, saying there was no threat of significant ash emission into the atmosphere outside a limited area within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Later Monday, state health officials said the eruption brought vog to some parts of the Big Island, causing poor air quality.
Volcanic smog, or air pollution, is created by vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide gas released from Kilauea.
The gases are present in their highest concentrations in the immediate area around the summit crater or vents. But they also combine with other particles to form vog, which can spread across the Big Island and even waft over to the state’s other islands.
Vog can give healthy people burning eyes, headaches and sore throats. It can send those with asthma or other respiratory problems to the hospital.
The health department’s air quality map Tuesday showed Pahala, downwind of Kilauea’s summit, as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth was driving to that part of the island Tuesday morning for a series of meetings. Residents in Kau, the island’s southern district, are used to dealing with vog, Roth said, but reminded visitors, especially those with breathing issues, to be mindful.
“The vog a lot of the time will go around Kau and come up to the Kona side,” he said.
2025-05-03 01:321591 view
2025-05-03 00:24684 view
2025-05-02 23:222357 view
2025-05-02 23:171957 view
2025-05-02 22:572363 view
2025-05-02 22:531785 view
I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A Missouri man has been charged with driving a stolen truck onto a runway behind a
In the Peruvian Amazon, tropical diseases pose a growing risk - and scientists are turning to advanc