Sulphur dioxide cloud over Britain after Icelandic volcanic eruption

Arab Weather - After a volcanic eruption in Iceland, a cloud of sulfur dioxide passed over the United Kingdom in the past two days. The British Met Office confirmed that the gas had moved into the upper layers of the atmosphere over the United Kingdom, but has now disappeared from British airspace.

• The effect of gas on health

Sulfur dioxide, which can also be produced by burning coal and oil, can cause sore throats, eye irritation and flu-like symptoms. Long-term exposure can be linked to more serious health problems such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. However, the Met Office said the impact on air quality was minimal.

• Monitoring pollution levels

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed on Tuesday that air pollution levels remained low thanks to low concentrations of the gas at surface level. A spokesman for the bureau explained:

“We continue to monitor sulphur dioxide emissions from Iceland and expect little impact on surface air pollution in the UK in the coming days.”

Release the Kraken: Icelandic volcano erupts near Grindavik, evacuations underway

The Sundhnukur volcano eruption, following a series of strong earthquakes, involves a lava flow over 4 kilometers long.

Authorities successfully evacuated over 1,300 people from the Blue Lagoon… pic.twitter.com/yex7Shl6No

— The Great Investor (@TheGreatInvest2) August 23, 2024

UK weather forecast

In conjunction with these events, meteorologists have indicated a sunny summer forecast with some signs of autumn remaining. Temperatures have dropped overnight, but Sunday morning was sunny and bright for most parts of the UK. Cloud and rain are expected to spread eastwards, which could lead to stormy weather in the afternoon.

In terms of weather over the coming week, warm conditions are expected to develop in central and eastern parts of the UK, with some hot weather possible.

See also:

After 800 years of silence, Iceland suddenly enters the age of volcanoes

For the sixth time in several months, Iceland's volcano erupts, spewing lava into the sky