Latest news with #volcaniccloud
Jordan Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Jordan Times
Iceland engulfed by volcanic cloud
REYKJAVIK (AFP) - Iceland experts on Monday blamed a lack of wind for a volcanic cloud that has lingered over much of the island since an eruption last week. Two craters of a volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula spewed out the sulphur-packed cloud on Wednesday. The thick haze has left the capital Reykjavik and the southwest of the country in a pollution red alert, the highest level in Iceland's monitoring system. Hylnur Arnason of the Icelandic Energy and Environment Agency said that volcanic eruptions normally cause air pollution, mainly from the sulphur dioxide that is emitted. The gas becomes sulfate in the atmosphere, creating a volcanic fog. "It's completely misty in large parts of the country," said Arnason. "Usually in Iceland we have lots of wind, which would carry the pollution away, but right now we don't," the expert added. "Now it's kind of just sitting over the whole country." Arnason said the gas was not toxic but could be an "irritant". The environment agency has recommended that vulnerable people should remain at home and take precautions against the pollution. The wind was expected to start strengthening again late Monday.
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iceland Engulfed by Volcanic Cloud
Iceland experts on Monday blamed a lack of wind for a volcanic cloud that has lingered over much of the island since an eruption last week. Two craters of a volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula spewed out the sulphur-packed cloud on Wednesday, AFP reported. The thick haze has left the capital Reykjavik and the southwest of the country in a pollution red alert, the highest level in Iceland's monitoring system. Hylnur Arnason of the Icelandic Energy and Environment Agency said that volcanic eruptions normally cause air pollution, mainly from the sulphur dioxide that is emitted. The gas becomes sulfate in the atmosphere, creating a volcanic fog. "It's completely misty in large parts of the country," said Arnason. "Usually in Iceland we have lots of wind, which would carry the pollution away, but right now we don't," the expert added. "Now it's kind of just sitting over the whole country." Arnason said the gas was not toxic but could be an "irritant". The environment agency has recommended that vulnerable people should remain at home and take precautions against the pollution. The wind was expected to start strengthening again late Monday.
CNA
21-07-2025
- Climate
- CNA
Iceland engulfed by volcanic pollution cloud
REYKJAVIK: A volcanic cloud has lingered over much of Iceland since last week's eruption, with experts on Monday (July 21) blaming the unusual lack of wind. Two craters on the Reykjanes peninsula began spewing sulphur-rich gas on Wednesday, creating a thick haze that has pushed the capital Reykjavik and the country's southwest into a red alert for pollution — the highest level on Iceland's scale. 'Volcanic eruptions normally cause air pollution, mainly from sulphur dioxide emissions,' said Hylnur Arnason of the Icelandic Energy and Environment Agency. 'The gas becomes sulfate in the atmosphere, creating a volcanic fog.' 'It's completely misty in large parts of the country,' he told reporters. 'Usually in Iceland we have lots of wind, which would carry the pollution away, but right now we don't. Now it's kind of just sitting over the whole country.' Arnason said the gas was not toxic but could cause irritation. The environment agency has advised vulnerable people to stay indoors and take precautions.
