A haze is a reduction in visibility caused by small particles or water droplets suspended in the air. A common example is the haze often seen on a hot summer day over a dry, dusty road. The heat rising from the road surface causes the air to shimmer, making distant objects appear blurry and indistinct. This is due to the scattering of light by the tiny particles of dust and moisture suspended in the warmer air.
Another example is the haze created by cigarette smoke. The tiny particles suspended in the smoke scatter light, reducing visibility and creating a hazy appearance.
Here are some other examples of haze:
- Wildfire smoke: Smoke from wildfires can create a thick, often reddish haze over wide areas, significantly reducing visibility and posing health risks.
- Industrial smog: A mixture of smoke and fog, often caused by industrial pollution, creates a dense, gray haze.
- Volcanic ash: Volcanic eruptions can release large amounts of ash into the atmosphere, leading to a widespread haze that can impact air travel and air quality.
- Fog: While technically different, fog is a type of haze characterized by a higher concentration of water droplets, resulting in more significant visibility reduction.
The provided reference exemplifies haze as something that makes it difficult to see clearly, citing examples of a desert road shimmering in the haze and seeing someone through a haze of cigarette smoke. This perfectly illustrates the concept of reduced visibility caused by suspended particles.
