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):
What does this program measure?
The program measures solar spectral irradiance, atmospheric transmission, and aerosol optical depth. The units of measurement are relative, rsp. (a dimensionless quantity)
Solar Sensors at MLO sunset (courtesy of Forrest M. Mims III)
How does this program work?
By passive remote sensing of atmospheric transmission using the Sun as a standard light source.
Why is this research important?
Atmospheric turbidity or Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is a crucial parameter in understanding the radiative forcing of Earth's climate and a core parameter in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch monitoring program.
Are there any trends in the data?
No trends have been established yet.
How does this program fit into the big picture?
What is it's role in global climate change?
Aerosols exert a predominantly cooling effect on climate. Their optical properties in the atmospheric column are summarized by AOD.
Comments and References
Mauna Loa Observatory is a prime calibration site for WMO/GAW PFR network
Lead Investigator(s):
Christoph Wehrli
+41 (0)81 417 51 37
MLO Contact(s):
Paul Fukumura
808-933-6965 (x223)
Web Site(s)
http://www.pmodwrc.ch/pmod.php?topic=worcc
Date Started
2000
Related Programs
Solar Radiation
Air Quality Control
Photographs:
not available