From volcano to Arctic: Researchers track sulfur dioxide's 2,000-kilometer journey

From volcano to Arctic: Researchers track sulfur dioxide's 2,000-kilometer journey

A research team has uncovered surprising evidence of cross-border pollution reaching the Arctic, originating from an Icelandic volcanic eruption. The researchers used a cutting-edge combination of satellite and ground-based monitoring to track sulfur dioxide emissions from the Sundhnukagigar volcano, which erupted in 2023. This toxic gas traveled over 2,000 kilometers to reach the Svalbard Islands, causing severe smog in the region.

Volcanic ash from the Kilauea eruption fell into the ocean and acted as fertilizer for phytoplankton.

80% of Arctic sulphur dioxide traced to Icelandic volcano

Scientists have studied the 2023 eruption of the Sundhnúkagígar volcano in Iceland and found that the sulphur dioxide it released seriously affected air quality up to 2,000km away in the arctic. The team, led by Prof. Si Fuqi and Prof. Luo Yuhan from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, used satellites equipped with high-resolution sensors that can detect trace gases more accurately than older technology. …