Enlarge image
Volcanic eruption in Iceland: Lava flows over a road near Grindavik
Photo: Marco Di Marco / dpa
The earth has split again and poured lava into the surrounding area: a volcano has erupted in Iceland for the fourth time in just four months. The event was visible last weekend from miles away in the capital Reykjavík, and one expert called it the "most powerful eruption to date." The resulting emissions are now spreading across continental Europe, as Copernicus, the European Union's earth observation program, announced.
The experts evaluated satellite observations and also took into account the assumed height of the eruption of around five kilometers in their analysis. From this they determined the likely path of the volcanic cloud in the coming days.
On Thursday, Copernicus reported that smoke and ash had already moved over Ireland, Great Britain and parts of Scandinavia. The smoke is now moving further across the Baltic Sea towards the Baltic States and Poland to Russia. In the meantime, increased sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels were reached, but the cloud thinned out considerably on its way. According to forecasts, a few thin volcanic clouds are also flying over the west and north of Germany these days.
Up to four kilometers high
"The amount of SO2 emitted this time was very clear in the observations," said Mark Parrington, senior scientist at CAMS, according to the release. "The exhaust plume was observed up to a height of four kilometers, which means that the prediction of transport is quite reliable."
Sulfur dioxide is produced in particular when fossil fuels such as coal and oil are burned. The gas irritates the mucous membranes and can lead to respiratory problems. Limit values therefore apply throughout Europe. In the atmosphere, SO2 contributes to particulate matter pollution.
"Volcanic eruptions and the release of large amounts of sulfur compounds can not only affect air quality in the directly affected region, but also global processes such as ozone concentration in the stratosphere," said Laurence Rouil. The effects of the volcanic eruptions in Iceland on the atmosphere have not been serious so far. Nevertheless, it is important to continue to monitor how the situation develops.
ani