The 2022 eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano cut off road access to the Mauna Loa Baseline Observatory. Construction on the temporary Mauna Loa Access road was completed on 26 March, 2026.
At this time, there is no site access for the general public to the Mauna Loa Observatory and NOAA has not yet established a public opening date. GML and scientific partners are working together to bring mission critical scientific projects back online. It is still unclear when utility infrastructure will be replaced and power re-established to the site.
We will provide another update as more information becomes available.
Media contact: Theo Stein at (303) 819-7409 or theo.stein@noaa.gov.
Organization(s):
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL),
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Hawaii public schools, Department of Education (DOE)
What does this program measure?
The project measured condensation nuclei concentration in particles per cc.
How does this program work?
The instruments involved, a garden counter and sunphotometer, were designed by Steven Ryan and constructed by high school students and teachers in 2001. Measurements were made by six high schools around the Big Island plus downtown Hilo. These locations are indicated in the diagrams below.
Why is this research important?
VOGNET was an educational outreach program for high schools. It contributed to long term monitoring of volcanic pollution around the island. The data can be used in studies of health effects of volcanic pollution.
Are there any trends in the data?
No trends. Pollution levels vary with changes in meteorological conditions and volcanic emission rates.
How does this program fit into the big picture?
What is it's role in global climate change?
It doesn't.
Comments and References
VOGNET was a NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) - Global Monitoring Laboratory, Mauna Loa Observatory community outreach program. It is no longer active.
Lead Investigator(s):
Steven Ryan
808-933-6965 (x235)
MLO Contact(s):
Steven Ryan
808-933-6965 (x235)
Web Site(s)
None
Date Started
Started in 1996
Continuous 2002-2005
Retired in 2005
Related Programs
Photographs:
