ENVIRONMENT
Iceland volcano spread sulphur dioxide across Europe
August 30, 2024 - After several eruptions this year, Iceland’s Reykjanes volcano saw another on August 22, spreading a plume of sulphur dioxide across northwestern Europe for several days.
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A volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula has seen significant activity this year, erupting again on August 22 and spreading a plume of toxic gas across northwestern Europe.
The Reykjanes volcano has erupted six times since December 2023 – the latest of which sent high concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere, the highest levels of which were between 5-8 kilometres up.
The measured and forecast SO2 concentrations were below the EU recommended exposure threshold, although measurements also show increased concentrations of SO2 at ground level.