Further information regarding gas pollution
Important message for those visiting the eruption site
Gas
pollution at the eruption site can at any time exceed danger levels. The eruptive
plume follows the wind direction, and it is therefore safer to watch the
eruption with the wind direction behind you, rather than towards you.
In
calm/light wind (<5 m/s) gas can accumulate in the valleys, then circulation
is controlled by the landscape and gas can exceed danger levels far up the
slopes, all around the eruption site. In such cases, spectators need to move up
to higher ground levels such as mountains and ridges and not stay on the slopes
just above the eruption.
Choose
a walking route according to the wind forecast for the time of the walk.
Avoid taking dogs with you to the eruption site.
Dogs are more exposed to gas pollution as they are closer to the ground. Fluoride
can also accumulate in puddles in the area.
IMO has set up a weather station at the eruption site, with repeated
measurements every hour.
Recommendations from the Environment Agency regarding pollution from the
eruption site can be found here and a link to loftgaedi.is
which shows the status of air quality in inhabited areas.