Toxic gas cloud passes over the UK after huge Icelandic volcano eruption

A cloud of sulphur dioxide has crossed over Britain after a volcanic eruption hundreds of miles away in Iceland.

The gas passed high in the atmosphere above the UK in the last couple of days and has now cleared the UK, the Met Office has confirmed.

The gas, which can also be produced by burning coal and oil, may cause sore throats, eye irritation or flu-like symptoms. Prolonged direct exposure has been linked to more severe health issues, including asthma and chronic bronchitis.

This SO2 plume, which was triggered by the eruption near Grindavik on Thursday, started to come over the country at around 4am on Sunday but forecasters said air pollution levels stayed low.

A Met Office confirmed on Tuesday that the sulphur dioxide had little influence on ground-level air quality.

A spokesperson told the Standard: “Only small concentrations at surface level meant that the air pollution levels remained low. Air pollution is currently Low, and expected to remain that way for the whole of the UK today.

“We’re continuing to monitor any sulphur dioxide release originating from Iceland, with current forecasts suggesting little influence on UK surface air pollution in the coming days.

“Air pollution levels are likely to remain low in the coming days, though some warmer weather in the east of England on Wednesday could lead to moderate levels of air pollution for some, though this isn’t linked to the sulphur dioxide from Iceland.”

The latest eruption is the sixth time since December a volcano has erupted in the area - south of the country's capital Reykjavik.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said it followed a series of earthquakes.

The nearby fishing village of Grindavik was evacuated but it is not known how many people were in the area as most of its nearly 4,000 residents left in November.

It comes as forecasters said some summer sun should be on the way despite hints of autumn nipping into the August bank holiday weekend.

The Met Office said there had been “a taste of autumn” as temperatures fell widely into single figures overnight ahead of a fresh Sunday morning.