The Met Office has reported actively monitoring the sulphur dioxide gas cloud that blanketed a significant portion of the UK this past weekend.
The plume, originating from a recent volcanic eruption in Iceland, passed over the nation yesterday morning and then moved southeast towards Europe.
Sulphur dioxide is an odourless gas with a pungent scent, commonly released during the combustion of coal and other refining or manufacturing operations, and also emitted by active volcanoes.
When inhaled at elevated levels, the gas may induce throat irritation, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting.
Nevertheless, the Met Office indicated that the gas was released high in the atmosphere and should have ‘minimal impact on the air quality at ground level’.
Data shared by the Czech weather platform Windy suggested that the cloud could re-enter the country early tomorrow morning.
However, the Met Office later clarified that they had observed no signs of this occurrence.
A spokesperson stated today: ‘A sulphur dioxide plume that originated from Iceland has traversed the UK at high altitudes over the past few days and has now dissipated from the UK.’
‘The effects of this sulphur dioxide have been minimal, as it remains elevated in the atmosphere and has had negligible effects on air quality close to the surface. Ground-level concentrations were so low that air pollution levels have stayed low.’
‘Currently, air pollution levels are low, and this is expected to persist across the entire UK today.’
‘We are actively observing any release of sulphur dioxide from Iceland, with present predictions indicating minimal influence on UK air quality in the upcoming days.’
The representative indicated that air pollution levels will stay low in the forthcoming days. However, some warmer weather in eastern England on Wednesday might cause moderate air pollution levels in certain areas, which is not associated with the sulphur dioxide emissions from Iceland.
A state of emergency was proclaimed in Iceland following the eruption that commenced shortly after 9 PM on Thursday, following a series of powerful earthquakes.
Video footage depicts molten lava bubbling and spilling from the Sundhnúks crater row, situated in the country’s southwestern region, close to Grindavik.
One estimate from the nation’s Met Office indicates ‘the lava flow travelled approximately 1 km in 10 minutes’.
However, officials report that the eruption’s impact remains localized, causing road closures but posing no threat to the populace.
The adjacent town of Grindavik has been mostly deserted since late 2023 when nearly 4,000 residents were initially ordered to evacuate following the volcano’s awakening after 800 years of dormancy.
