Scientists from the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) and the Institute of Earth Sciences had to get away fast from the eruption site at Holuhraun yesterday when they detected an extreme high level of sulfur dioxide gas.
Elín Björk Jónasdóttir from IMO told RÚV that the level of sulfur dioxide had measured above 80,000 micrograms per cubic metre (m3). Air pollution levels above 600 micrograms per m3 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups and levels above 2,600 can cause harm to people’s health.
Everyone working on site at Holuhraun is required to be equipped with a gas mask and a gas meter, but when countering very high levels of volcanic gases there are certain protocols in place.
“Scientists that face extreme levels like these, they just go. They stop all work, get to their cars and drive away,” said Elín Björk and explained that the weather was á big factor in creating these conditions. The wind was calm so the gas, which is heavier than the air, built up close to the eruption instead of being carried away over a larger area.
Read more: Life threatening gas emissions at the eruption site
Read more: Sulfur dioxide gas released in the Holuhraun eruption is raising concerns
Read more: Harmful gases emitted at Holuhraun lava field stirs up memories of 18th century Laki eruption
Several populated areas in Northeast Iceland are being hit with rather intense volcanic pollution this week. Sulfur dioxide pollution measured above 2,000 micrograms per m3 at Reykjahlíð village yesterday and IMO has warned about moderate levels close to Lake Mývatn and in the district of Kelduhverfi.
Volcanic pollution is expected in a Northeast Iceland today (Thursday) and tomorrow. You can follow the gas dispersion prediction on IMO's interactive map.
Scientists from the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) and the Institute of Earth Sciences had to get away fast from the eruption site at Holuhraun yesterday when they detected an extreme high level of sulfur dioxide gas.
Elín Björk Jónasdóttir from IMO told RÚV that the level of sulfur dioxide had measured above 80,000 micrograms per cubic metre (m3). Air pollution levels above 600 micrograms per m3 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups and levels above 2,600 can cause harm to people’s health.
Everyone working on site at Holuhraun is required to be equipped with a gas mask and a gas meter, but when countering very high levels of volcanic gases there are certain protocols in place.
“Scientists that face extreme levels like these, they just go. They stop all work, get to their cars and drive away,” said Elín Björk and explained that the weather was á big factor in creating these conditions. The wind was calm so the gas, which is heavier than the air, built up close to the eruption instead of being carried away over a larger area.
Read more: Life threatening gas emissions at the eruption site
Read more: Sulfur dioxide gas released in the Holuhraun eruption is raising concerns
Read more: Harmful gases emitted at Holuhraun lava field stirs up memories of 18th century Laki eruption
Several populated areas in Northeast Iceland are being hit with rather intense volcanic pollution this week. Sulfur dioxide pollution measured above 2,000 micrograms per m3 at Reykjahlíð village yesterday and IMO has warned about moderate levels close to Lake Mývatn and in the district of Kelduhverfi.
Volcanic pollution is expected in a Northeast Iceland today (Thursday) and tomorrow. You can follow the gas dispersion prediction on IMO's interactive map.
