When Trade Winds Blow...So Will The Vog

Back in May of 2007 I wrote about Blogging about "VOG" in Hawaii and to this day I am still getting comments on that post!  I wrote: "VOG" is Volcanic Air Pollution.  Oahuexperiences "VOG" when trade winds change direction after there has been volcanic action on the island of Hawaii or otherwise known as the Big Island.  The winds will blow this volcanic air pollution towards us and make our little world look all hazy.

The picture to the left was taken April 26th, 2008 on Oahu; and you can barely see the Koolau mountain Range in the background.

Vog has been prevalent due to lava flows so make sure and read the following: A useful Brochure about Emissions from Kilauea Volcano which just came out in March of this year. Sulphur Dioxide gas releases from the volcanic activity into the air.

If you live in a big city then you know what air pollution is. Ours is a form of air pollution but from natural causes :)

American Lung Associations recommends the following:

1. Drink plenty of liquids to help your body, and it is recommended that warm liquids seem to work best.
2. Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned area, if possible, and leave the heavy vog area.
3. Do limit any outdoor and physical activities.
4. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any problem develops as respiratory problems might deteriorate much more rapidly in heavy vog conditions.

Picture to the right was taken not far from my home in Waipio Gentry on April 26, 2008. In the faded distance is the Waianae mountain range.

Following is another site with loads of info:

Ten things YOU can do to lessen adverse health effects of VOG
First, it is important to note that individuals may have a wide range of sensitivity to VOG.

Patrick Lambert wrote  The VOG blog and It's important to do your homework... regarding the lava flows on the island of Hawaii (aka Big Island) which is resides on. Read more info there!

As you can see by the island map to the left the island of Hawaii aka Big Island is at the bottom of the Hawaiian island chain.  

Our island of Oahuis north west but when the winds are blowing this way we get hit by the vog as well.

When the winds change direction....so will the vog. We had a couple of nice days this week. :)

Island Chain map courtesy of the U.S. Geological Surveythrough Wikipedia.  All other pictures and content of this post © 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved.... and are only the opinion of this author.