Bali volcano eruption: TOXIC sulphur dioxide leak threatens flights and health
MOUNT Agung has been slowly leaking high concentrations of toxic sulphur dioxide over Bali, sparking fears for the safety of the island.
By SEBASTIAN KETTLEY
Express.co.uk
Tue, Nov 28, 2017
Nasa’s atmosphere measuring Aura satellite has picked up worrying concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) spreading from the crater of the Bali volcano.
The pungent colourless gas is particularly dangerous to people with existing breathing conditions, but also irritates the skin, eyes, nose, throat and potentially aircraft.
The NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service warned: “Data from Nasa’s Aura satellite shows the high sulfur dioxide concentrations associated with the volcanic eruption of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, Indonesia, on Monday, November 27, 2017.
“Prior to and during eruptions, volcanoes like Mount Agung release large amounts of SO2 into the atmosphere, which can act as an early warning.
Bali’s residents have been living in fear of an “imminent” magmatic eruption since Agung spewed a thick, black column of volcanic ash on Saturday.
The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), ordered a mass evacuation of locals living within an eight to 10km radius of the volatile volcano.
The threat of sulphur dioxide has now heightened the sense of urgency as 100,000 people have been told to flee to safety.
Nasa’s data suggests that the highest concentrations of SO2 are round the erupting volcano, but individual pockets of the gas have floated toward Java island.
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