Volcanic Gas Impacts

Last year, in 2011, the eruption of the iceland volcano, Grímsvötn, was all over the the news. The smoke that rose from the volcanic eruption caused numerous air flight delays. However, the smoke from the volcanic eruptions do not only impact flight times. 


The smoke that is released from volcanoes is volcanic gas. It is mostly composed of water vapour. Volcanic gas also consists of  carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen fluoride. There are also small traces of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and volatile metal chlorides. The concentration of each of the volcanic gases can vary significantly from one volcano to the other.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that may aid in global warming. Whereas the volcanic gas sulfur dioxide, can promote global cooling, ozone destruction, and polluted air known as volcanic smog. Volcanic gases are also harmful to humans. Exposure to these gases, such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and hydrogen chloride, can damage eyes and mucous membranes along with the respiratory system and, under extreme conditions, can even lead to death. Common complaints to prolonged exposure periods to volcanic smog include headaches, fatigue, respiratory difficulties, and allergic reactions. However, the health effects to this situation are not well documented. In addition to all that, carbon dioxide is heavier than air and can collect in low, poorly ventilated areas. This has caused thousands of deaths in the past two decades from carbon asphyxiation.  


Volcanic gases also damage vegetation. Most plants can not survive direct exposure or long-term exposure to volcanic gas. Furthermore,  fume clouds are formed which are filled with droplets that would eventually fall as acid rain, and that could be destructive in many ways. While the droplets are in the air, they can cause corrosion of aircraft surface materials and engines.