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Date Published: 27/08/2024

Volcanic eruption in Iceland brings rotten egg stench to Spain

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Copious amounts of sulphur dioxide have spewed from the volcano and wafted over to Spain

Volcanic eruption in Iceland brings rotten egg stench to Spain

With temperatures routinely climbing into the 40s over the last couple of weeks, most of us are glad of a bit of relief from a cooling breeze. But, as they say, “it’s an ill wind”, and those refreshing gusts are carrying something rather unpleasant to many parts of Spain at the moment: a distinctive rotten egg smell all the way from Iceland.

The Icelandic volcano Sundhnúksgígar has been erupting since last December, but its latest outburst has caught attention for its sheer intensity. The sixth eruption in just a few months, it's forced the evacuation of the nearby town of Grindavik and is now affecting southern Europe.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reports that the eruption was preceded by an “intense series of small earthquakes”, which opened up a 3.9-kilometre-long fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

So far, the news is nothing extraordinary, although it may seem unbelievable: the country has 33 active volcanic systems and is prepared and accustomed to the effects that this entails. What’s causing a stir in the Iberian Peninsula is that the huge quantities of sulphur dioxide (SO2) released by the volcano have wafted over to Spain.

As the volcano continues to spew out lava and toxic gases, the SO2 cloud is making its way across the continent. Weather maps show that it reached the UK and France first before touching down in northern Spain, where it's now affecting several regions. The highest concentrations are being reported in Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country, with the Pyrenees also feeling the effects.

So, what's behind the distinctive smell? Sulphur dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas that's produced by volcanic eruptions, as well as the burning of coal and crude oil. But when it reacts with the atmosphere, it forms a pungent compound that's unmistakable: a rotten egg smell that's both irritating and unpleasant.

The good news is that the SO2 cloud over Spain has already more or less dissipated, leaving behind a welcome return to fresh air.

Last week, smoke from wildfires spreading across British Columbia in Canada was visible in large parts of Spain, creating a murky sky that looked like haze or Saharan dust. The northeast of Spain bore the brunt, but the smoky skies were also very apparent in the Valencian Community, Madrid, the Balearic Islands, Navarra and Catalonia.

In other news: Radical anti-tourist group erects fake beach closed signs in Mallorca

Image: @rockhardIES on X

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