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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

'Volcanic fog' explains haze, sulphury smell in Bay of Plenty

Rotorua Daily Post
9 Nov, 2021 09:19 PM2 mins to read

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Geonet says volcanic unrest is continuing at Whakaari White Island. Photo / NZME

Geonet says volcanic unrest is continuing at Whakaari White Island. Photo / NZME

Hazy conditions and a sulphury smell in the Bay of Plenty is being explained by a phenomenon called volcanic fog.

GeoNet said increases in gas emissions from Whakaari/White Island have combined with a developing sea fog in the Bay of Plenty to create a phenomenon known as "vog" or volcanic fog.

In a social media post, GeoNet said: "Vog is created when the sulphur-based volcanic gases mix with atmospheric moisture to form an aerosol.

"The light northerly winds are driving this onshore, there has not been an eruption to produce this.

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"A vog can be unpleasant producing watery eyes and a stinging sensation. Those with respiratory health issues should be cautious. A vog can also reduce visibility, creating a hazard for road, air and ocean traffic, so please take care," GeoNet said.

Weather conditions mentioned in our Whakaari/White Island volcano update earlier today have combined with a developing...

Posted by GeoNet on Monday, November 8, 2021

Bay of Plenty residents, from Whakatāne, Kawerau through to Pāpāmoa have taken to social media to describe the sensation.

"The smell when I opened the door this morning, and man my nose hurt for a bit after. The smell was through the whole house. Even overpowered the diesel soak work uniform of the husbands in the garage," one said.

Others described a strange haze in the air and a sulphury smell.

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"Just walked outside and didn't know what I was seeing? Is it rain is it smoke?"

"That explains why I was struggling to breathe," another post said.

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