A change in wind patterns could have dangerous consequences in Hawaii later this week as residents are dealing with an erupting volcano.
Kilauea, a volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island, began erupting Thursday. Since then, lava has flowed from fissures, wrecking dozens of structures and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.
Also seeping from these fissures is poisonous gas known as “vog.” According to the Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard, vog is “hazy air pollution caused by the volcanic emissions from Kīlauea volcano, which are primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas.”
Aerial view of fissure 15, courtesy of the Hawaii County Fire Department. The fissure cut across Pohoiki Road. https://t.co/h1obdb0wrX pic.twitter.com/egF7idSFMH
— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 10, 2018
So far, the vog has only beset the southern and western side of the Big Island, but an expected shift later this week in the northeasterly trade winds, which is wind from the northeast, could mean trouble for other islands in the state, AccuWeather forecasters warn. The islands that could be affected include Maui, Oahu, Lanai, and Molokai.
“When the northeast trade winds diminish, the air may turn more humid and some air stagnation problems can occur on the islands,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel.
Dangerous vog to spread across Hawaii as the winds shift late this week. Stay safe! https://t.co/DqKFVlBHqr pic.twitter.com/MWkJr3W7Xq
— Meghan Mussoline ☂ (@Accu_Meghan) May 9, 2018
The sulfur dioxide in the vog can cause respiratory problems, including irritation and difficulty breathing, and concentrated levels of it can be deadly. Meanwhile, the small amount of sulfuric acid in vog can slowly damage painted surfaces and metals.
Forecasters predict the trade winds will resume over the weekend, but wind patterns are expected to continue changing over time.
Aerial footage shows the latest fissure opened by Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island. https://t.co/Fv6GAhOiHr pic.twitter.com/ZeKhAoRHXU
— AP West Region (@APWestRegion) May 9, 2018
The Hawaii government tracks and reports the air quality, which can be viewed here.
Other dangers posed by Kilauea include big rocks being shot out for miles and ashfall, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
