Sunset through the Vog

We learned that Vog is a mixture of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Kilauea releases 2,500 tons of sulfur dioxide DAILY! The vog washes over the west (Kona) coast, where we are staying. We haven't noticed any sulfur smell in the air, but we have noticed the very red suns at sunset, and the layer of vog (we didn't really know that's what it was, though it seemed fog-like).

Here are a couple of photos:

We saw this confluence of vog and clouds as we rounded the southern part of the island, heading west this afternoon. The vog originates from Mount Kilaeua and is blown to the west side of the island by the prevailing trade winds from the northeast.

The Vog is the hazy layer above the horizon - this is shortly after sunset today.

Whereas this has contributed to the beauty of the sunsets, some people are sensitive to the sulfur in the air, and people are cautioned about it before seriously considering a move to this island.

There is s vog report here: http://www.konaweb.com/vog/

Here are the levels and how they are determined:
Vog Levels:

• Extreme - Very reduced visibility, no visible horizon. Blue/grey tint to objects a mile or less in distance.
• Heavy - Reduced visibility, horizon barely visible. Blue/grey tint to objects 3 miles away.
• Moderate - Horizon is blurry. Blue/grey tint to objects 5 miles away.
• Light - Horizon is almost sharp. Blue/grey tint to objects 10 miles away.
• No Vog - Sharp horizon and there is little haze when viewing distant objects

Anyway, here is a link to a 10-minute sunset video Mari took last night at a nearby village named Miloli'i.

Sunset at Miloli'i Beach

Enjoy!