Photo courtesy of Andrew J. Sutton showing volcanic gases boil out of the lava lake within Kilauea’s summit “Overlook Vent,” to form the visible vog plume being carried to the southwest and up the Kona
coast by trade winds in this 2008 USGS-HVO photograph.
Phew! Volcanic Gases, Vog, and How They Affect Us:
As magma rises from the Earth’s mantle to its surface, trapped volcanic gases expand, fueling the spectacular eruptions of Hawai`i’s celebrated volcanoes. While Kīlauea’s current eruption continues to produce enough lava to fill a football stadium every week or so, it is also releasing huge amounts of volcanic gases, which are converted in the atmosphere to the vog (volcanic smog) that ultimately impacts our island environment. This evening, join Jeff Sutton, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas geochemist, for a whiff of what’s contained in volcanic gases and vog. Learn about where vog goes and what we know about its effects on people, land, and our island infrastructrure. A “volcanic gas tasting party” concludes our celebration of Volcano Awareness Month, with an opportunity to identify specific volcanic gases by your sense of smell!
Free to Lyman Museum members; $3 nonmembers.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for evening public programs.
Limited seating; first come, first seated. Additional parking next door at Hilo Union School.
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