The recent eruption of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano doesn't pose a threat to buildings, but health authorities are warning about a serious air quality issue caused by volcanic smog, known as "vog."
According to Euronews, Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, started erupting on September 10. Scientists later said there was no major ash plume threat beyond a small area in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
However, it was reported the same day that the eruption had created a hazy sky in some parts of the Big Island, and air quality had deteriorated.
Vog is a type of air pollution formed by volcanic emissions like smoke, gases, haze, and fine ash particles. It's made up of vapors, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide released from the crater. While the highest concentrations of these gases are near the volcano, they can mix with other particles and spread across the Big Island and even to other islands in Hawaii.
Vog can cause problems like eye irritation, headaches, and throat irritation, and it may lead to asthma or other respiratory issues in some people.
An air quality map created by the Ministry of Health on September 7, showed that Pahala, which is downwind from Kilauea, had air quality "unhealthy for sensitive groups."
Earlier, Daryo reported that the Kilauea volcano, situated on Hawaii's Big Island, has erupted for the third time this year, causing concerns but, as per authorities, not posing an immediate threat to local communities. The eruption began on September 10 afternoon, and experts from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have been monitoring the situation closely.
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