Mauna Loa Observatory

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Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations measured at Mauna Loa Observatory.

The Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) is an atmospheric baseline station on Mauna Loa volcano, on the big island of hawaii . Since the mid 1950's MLO has been continuously monitoring and collecting data relating to atmospheric change, and is known especially for their continuous monitoring of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) levels. The observatory is under the Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The latest observation of Carbon Dioxide concentrations from MLO can be found at CMDL Observatory Measurements and at Mauna Loa Observatory Monthly Mean Carbon Dioxide. Note: There are a number of datasets provided on the first page. The MLO CO₂ data is depicted by the RED datapoints. CO₂ levels are shown on the left side of the graph.

Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) has activities at five sites. The primary observing site is located at the 11,000ft level on Mauna Loa north slope. The administration and data processing is done in the Hilo office. Kulani Mauka is a rain collection site. Cape Kumukahi is a flask sample site located on the eastern most point of Hawaii. The old Hilo airport is where weekly ozonesonde flights are prepared and launched to measure stratospheric ozone.

[edit] External links

• Official Mauna Loa Observatory Website
• Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO), Hawaii, USA