Danger of a volcanic smog today

"It is quite possible that we will again measure gas pollution like last night," says Salóme Jórunn Bernharðsdóttir, natural hazard expert at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, in an interview with mbl.is, but a lot of air pollution was measured in Vogur, both due to sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the eruption and particulate matter due to wildfires and volcanic smog.

She says the pollution is very dependent on the wind direction.

 "If it's a little more south-eastern, it goes between Njarðvík and Vogar, but if it gets a little more southerly, it can go back over the town."

When a journalist spoke to Bernharðsdóttir from half past nine, gas pollution was measured in Njarðvík and Garður.

Will the pollution increase during the day?

"It's very dependent on small changes and wind so we'll just have to keep an eye on it."

The effect multiplied

She says there was quite a lot of pollution in Vogur yesterday and adds that no record has been set in the measurement of SO2 pollution, "but because it was both gas pollution from the eruption and also particulate matter that was being measured as a result of soot from the wildfires, the effects were multiplied rather than just added up."

Bernharðsdóttir mentions that representatives from the Environmental Agency were in Vogur last night fixing a gas meter and they felt the effects of the pollution, both in the eyes and respiratory tract.

She says that the Icelandic Met Office will issue a notification if the measurements become very high and exceed health protection limits.

Asked if the rain in the area plays a role, she replies that it is hoped that it will put out most of the wildfires and reduce the amount of particulate matter, but while the eruption is still alive, there is no way to extinguish them permanently.

Low visibility

She says that the activity of the eruption is similar to the last few days, but there is little visibility at the eruption centers at the moment.

Two main craters are active, one slightly larger than the other, and lava flows mostly to the north and northwest.

It is possible to monitor air quality at the website loftgaedi.is.