By Giff Johnson
Haze attributed to the ongoing Kilauea volcano eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii blanketed Majuro Atoll and other islands in the Marshall Islands yesterday.
This US Geological Survey (USGS) image released May 15, 2018, shows an ash plume rising following a massive volcano eruption on Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Photo: AFP or licensors
US weather officials on Guam issued a special weather update on Sunday about the "haze plume" that is expected to continue moving westward through the Federated States of Micronesia.
Hawaii residents refer to the haze caused by volcanic eruptions on the Big Island as "vog," a phenomenon now being experienced in the Marshall Islands, more than 3700km to the southwest of the Hawaiian Islands.
The volcano in Hawaii is now in its fourth week of continuous eruptions.
The "volcanic haze [is] spreading across Micronesia," the US National Weather Service based in Guam said.
Residents in Majuro reported limited visibility caused by the haze.
Majuro, Marshall Islands. Photo: Giff Johnson
"Local weather observers at both Kwajalein and Majuro have reported haze at the airports today," the Guam weather office said.
"This haze is expected to spread farther westward and reach Kosrae, Pohnpei and possibly Chuuk [in the Federated States of Micronesia] over the next few days."
The "Marshall Islands experienced a similar phenomena several years ago due to Kilauea releasing plumes," said meteorologist in charge of the Majuro weather station, Reginald White.
Guam weather officials advised "residents with respiratory health problems [to] stay indoors and avoid being outdoors when haze is seen."
Weather officials also cautioned pilots and marines to be aware of the "lower visibilities" caused by the haze from the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii.
