Tourists standing next to a memorial in Keflavik, Iceland on July 16, 2025, observe from a distance smoke and lava emanating from a volcano near Grindavik on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes following its eruption. Photo by Halldor KOLBEINS / AFP
Reykjavik: Iceland experts on Monday blamed a lack of wind for a volcanic cloud that has lingered over much of the island since an eruption last week.
Two craters of a volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula spewed out the sulphur-packed cloud on Wednesday.
The thick haze has left the capital Reykjavik and the southwest of the country in a pollution red alert, the highest level in Iceland's monitoring system.
Tourists standing near a road near the airport in Keflavik, Iceland on July 16, 2025, observe as clouds of smoke in the distance emanate from a volcano near Grindavik on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes following its eruption. Photo by Halldor KOLBEINS / AFP
Hylnur Arnason of the Icelandic Energy and Environment Agency said that volcanic eruptions normally cause air pollution, mainly from the sulphur dioxide that is emitted. The gas becomes sulfate in the atmosphere, creating a volcanic fog.
"It's completely misty in large parts of the country," said Arnason.
"Usually in Iceland we have lots of wind, which would carry the pollution away, but right now we don't," the expert added. "Now it's kind of just sitting over the whole country."
Arnason said the gas was not toxic but could be an "irritant".
The environment agency has recommended that vulnerable people should remain at home and take precautions against the pollution. The wind was expected to start strengthening again late Monday.
