Sulphur dioxide emissions from Iceland volcano reach Europe

The recent volcano eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland sent a plume of sulphur dioxide (SO2) south-east to reach northern and western Europe, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service said. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) released an animation showing the plume of sulphur dioxide as it moved towards Europe after the volcano erupted, spraying red-hot lava and smoke in its sixth outbreak since December. The animation showed the plume moving across the North Atlantic reaching northwestern Europe on August 24 and continuing east in the following days. According to CAMS, satellite observations of the plume height indicated that the highest concentration of SO2 was between 5-8 km in the atmosphere, while forecasts and surface measurement sites also showed some increased concentrations at ground level. They added that the plume was not expected to have major impacts on air quality or health. - Report from Reuters