Vog Information | KGMB9 News Hawaii

What is vog?

When a volcano erupts, it produces molten lava in various forms, but the driving force for the eruption comes from the gases that are contained in the lava. These gases come out of the molten rock at varying pressures and consist of: water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen, and a variety of other acid and inert gases. Scientists working near the vent must wear gas masks to protect themselves from the concentrated fumes.

Once these gases enter the atmosphere, many react very quickly. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen in the air to form water vapor, and sulfuric acid aerosols (from sulfur dioxide) produce the fume clouds that are carried by the wind and become dispersed into an unpleasant cloud of vog (from the words "volcanic" and "smog").

Over time, the gases continue to react with the atmosphere and ultimately form aerosols of ammonium sulfate that are gradually washed out of the atmosphere by rainfall or a process of settling called dry deposition.

What you should do to cope with vog

If vog will be heavy in your area, take these extra precautions, especially if you suffer from a chronic breathing problem such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema:

Do not smoke.
Avoid secondhand smoke.
Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus and help you cough.
Stay indoors and use an air-conditioner, if possible.

If you have medications, put them in a convenient place. It is important to continue taking your medication. Medications you need for an acute episode should be readily available.

If you don't have any medications, but feel that you might need them, call your physician. Make sure you have clear instructions from your physician as to what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.

Assume that your lung condition may deteriorate during periods of vog and contact your physician as soon as any problem develops. Do not allow a respiratory condition to linger, especially if there is a high concentration of vog.

Monitor the wind direction to find out if vog will be blown in your area that day. You can find out the wind direction by watching the KGMB9 weather report, listening to a weather radio or by checking the weather section of your local newspaper.

A paper, gauze surgical, or non-toxic dust mask may be helpful.

NOTE: If you find it more difficult to breathe with the mask on, don't use it. A mask is the least important of these suggestions.

While these suggestions are intended primarily for persons having chronic lung diseases (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema), they are also useful for normally healthy persons during volcanic haze episodes.