Britons have been warned this morning that a cloud of corrosive and acidic gas is moving across the UK.
Weather maps show a band of volcanic sulphur dioxide moving landwards from Iceland, which could worsen air quality.
Sulphur dioxide can cause respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and irritate the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause coughing, wheezing, phlegm production and asthma attacks, with effects worsened during exercise. Sulphur dioxide is also linked to cardiovascular disease.
It is mainly formed by the burning of sulphur-containing fossil fuels such as coal and oil, but in this case from another volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Professor Simon Kahn from Michigan Technological University posted on #ReykjanesPeninsula: “Localized effects on #airquality likely in the coming days. @eddy_weather @ScottishEPA.”
Lava has flowed from a volcano in southwestern Iceland that erupted on Thursday. It is the sixth eruption on the ReykjanesPeninsula since December last year. Eruption from the new fissure began just after 9pm on Thursday after a series of strong earthquakes, and within an hour a four-kilometre-long fissure penetrated the Sundnukur crater.
The UK Foreign Office has also warned Brits not to travel to Iceland following the outbreak. The FCDO said: “Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common in Iceland. The Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland has recently seen a series of volcanic eruptions, the most recent on 22 August.
“The city of Grindavik and areas north of it have been affected. Icelandic authorities advise against travelling to the area. All roads to GrindavÃk and the surrounding area are closed. Further outbreaks are possible in this location. Please follow local media for the latest information and follow the advice of authorities regarding travel to the area. “
“KeflavÃk International Airport and roads to it are unaffected and operate normally. The capital Reykjavik and other parts of Iceland are not affected by the outbreak. Volcanic activity in Iceland’s 32 active volcanic systems is being closely monitored to detect any signs of unrest.
While our infrastructure is designed to be robust, not all events can be predicted and may pose risks to your travel plans, including: trip delays and cancellations, toxic volcanic gases, rock falls and landslides, sudden and severe flooding.”