When a volcanic eruption occurs, it can cause air pollution and this has many people worried. Volcanoes can release massive quantities of sulphur dioxide. This can then lead to acid rain and ash or volcanic aerosol which are known to bring volcanic pollution for many miles (into the thousands).
According to the European Environmental Agency, the Iceland volcano has been monitored and its effects on air pollution. This agency states that air quality has not been impacted due to the eruptions. But in Iceland, concentrations of particulate matter are higher than normal, which can be harmful to both people and animals according to the Icelandic Directorate of Health. The Icelandic Directorate of Health keeps track of pollution levels.
The potential volcanic debris and pollution will continue to be analyzed in Europe. The current weather of both rain and snow may help to remove what currently exists. Analyzing this data will take time and information will continue to be gathered for Europe. People are encouraged to check with their local centers for air quality information.
Today we don’t tend to think of volcanoes erupting but they do. For those who live near a volcano it is something to think about. Those who live in Washington State near Mount St. Helen likely remember her eruption in 1980. While this eruption was tracked and the volcano has been monitored for years, lives were still lost. Volcanoes are powerful and by nature, quite unpredictable.
The volcano in Iceland located under the Eyjafyallajokull glacier erupted a 3.7-mile shot of ash. This unique incident halted most flights through northern Europe for two weeks. The glacier erupted ash and smoke from under the glacier.
According to Reuteurs.com, a scientist stated the eruption was 10 times more powerful than one that happened last month, though the two eruptions could be considered part of the very same event. The earlier eruption existed on the flank of the volcano.
Volcanoes exist all over the world today. The gases and ash existing in volcanoes can greatly affect air quality, making it difficult for people to breathe and sometimes even to survive. Here are some of the largest volcanoes you can see:
Mount Mazama/Crater Lake in Oregon. This volcano was named after it erupted 6,000 years ago. Once it was 12,000 feet high but after the explosion now all the exists was a 1,900 foot crater otherwise known as Crater Lake. Mount Mazama/Crater Lake was designated a National Park in 1902.
Mount Etna, Sicily. This is a very active volcano in Europe today. One of the most recent eruptions occurred in December 1991.
Mount Vesuvius, Italy. Many have heard of the great volcano Vesuvius. The greatest eruption covered the city of Pompeii and the city of Herculaneum in 79 A.D.. Today the volcano is active with the last deadly eruption occurring in 1631.
Mount Tambora, Indonesia. This is considered the “deadliest volcano” in history. When it erupted in April 1815, 92,000 people died.
To help improve the air quality in your own home, you should consider buying a HEPA air purifier. Rabbit Air makes stylish and functional units.
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