CO2 From Volcanos – Kilauea

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As of now, specific measurements of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from Kīlauea’s 17 eruption episodes since December 23, 2024, are not publicly available. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) primarily report on sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, which are more directly linked to immediate air quality concerns and are easier to measure in volcanic plumes.​
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For instance, during the eruption episode on January 2, 2025, SO₂ emissions were reported at approximately 30,000 tonnes per day . While CO₂ is a significant volcanic gas, it is less reactive in the atmosphere and does not contribute to vog (volcanic smog) formation, making it a lower priority for real-time monitoring in the context of public health advisories.​
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It’s important to note that volcanic CO₂ emissions are part of the natural carbon cycle and are generally considered negligible compared to anthropogenic sources. However, they can be significant in localized areas, especially in confined spaces where CO₂ can accumulate.​

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on volcanic gas emissions, including any available data on CO₂, you can refer to the following resources:

USGS Kīlauea Volcano Updates

Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard

Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Air Branch

These platforms provide comprehensive information on volcanic activity and associated air quality impacts in Hawai‘i.​
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You said:
what is the percent of CO2 from volcanoes like Kilauea, compared to SO2
ChatGPT said:

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You said:
what is the percent of CO2 from volcanoes like Kilauea, compared to SO2
ChatGPT said:

Great question — let’s look at the typical gas composition of emissions from a volcano like Kīlauea, which is a basaltic shield volcano known for steady degassing and frequent eruptions.
🌋 Kīlauea’s Volcanic Gas Composition (Typical Ratios)

Volcanic gas is mostly composed of water vapor, but CO₂ and SO₂ are the next most significant gases.
Volcanic Gas Approximate Percent of Total Gas Notes
H₂O (Water vapor) ~80–90% Dominant gas
CO₂ (Carbon dioxide) ~5–10% Very stable, not reactive in air
SO₂ (Sulfur dioxide) ~3–6% Key gas in vog (volcanic smog) formation

So, in general, the CO₂ to SO₂ ratio is somewhere between 1:1 to 2:1, depending on magma depth, type, and degassing efficiency.
🔬 USGS and Field Data at Kīlauea

Studies by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) suggest:

CO₂/SO₂ molar ratio at Kīlauea often ranges from 1.5 to 2.5.

Example:

    If Kīlauea emits 30,000 tonnes/day of SO₂,

    It may emit around 45,000–75,000 tonnes/day of CO₂, depending on the episode.

That makes CO₂ emission volume significantly higher than SO₂ in terms of total mass.