The particles are expected to reach mainland Spain later this week through the Region of Murcia
The sulfur dioxide cloud associated with the eruption of the La Palma volcano is heading for mainland Spain, according to experts on Tuesday September 21 and is expected to enter the peninsula through the Region of Murcia in the coming days.
According to predictions made by the Copernicus program, a system designed to continuously monitor every aspect of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, the cloud shouldn’t pose a health risk but will most likely cover much of Spain by lunch time on Friday September 24.
In large quantities, sulfur dioxide can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract and can even lead to acid rain. When volcanic eruptions release this element into the atmosphere, as the volcano on La Palma might when the flow of lava reaches the sea, the sulfur travels high enough to be out of reach of cleansing rain and as a result can remain in the environment for years after.
Image 1: Facultad de Ciencias Geologicos
Image 2: European Union Earth Observation Programme, Copernicus
Source: Murcia Today
