ESRL Global Monitoring Laboratory - Mauna Loa Observatory

Measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory stopped after the 2022 eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano, when lava flow crossed the access road and took out power lines to the facility. The observatory remains inaccessible by vehicle and without power from the local utility company.

Observatory staff has established limited solar power in four observatory buildings and restored approximately 33 percent of the measurements onsite, including the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps critical CO₂ records and other atmospheric measurements.

Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov) or Karin Vergoth 303-632-6413‬ (karin.vergoth@noaa.gov)

Organization(s):

NOAA logo NOAA FSL (National Forecast Systems Laboratory), GPS Observing Systems Branch

What does this program measure?

Total Atmospheric Water Vapor

How does this program work?

The dual frequency GPS receiver will continuously observe all satellites in view. Dual frequency carrier phase observations will be made very 30 seconds. Data will be transferred to the PC every 30 minutes. Quick-look displays will be created by Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) and will be available via the internet.

Why is this research important?

Global Positioning System Meteorology gives us the ability to measure the total quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere with unprecedented accuracy under all weather conditions. By continuously monitoring the ratio of integrated precipitable water vapor (IPW) at MLO to three nearby stations at or near sea level, we can evaluate short and long-term changes in the mean temperature of the atmosphere above 600 h Pa.