Mauna Loa Observatory

The station Mauna Loa is a meteorological research station and is located on the volcano Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

To find out the impact man has on the composition of the atmosphere and how strong are the emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide ( CO2), the CO2 content of the air is measured in the measuring station since 1958. The resulting measurement series, named after the scientist Charles David Keeling significantly concerned Keeling curve, is the longest continuous record of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The measurements document the increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil hydrocarbons.

On four 7 m and a 27 m high tower with air inlet four air samples of the atmosphere are taken hourly. The hourly averages of CO2 concentration, wind speed and wind direction form the basis for further evaluation. To determine the daily average, the data of at least six consecutive hours is required. The data provide a basis for the development of climate scenarios by models.

The position of the measuring station in Hawaii is particularly suitable, since the air in the environment is hardly affected by influences of the local vegetation or human for atmospheric measurements. Since the beginning of the measurement series, 1958, nothing has changed on the equipment and methods mainly.