Met Office experts are monitoring toxic gas cloud unleashed by volcanic eruptions in Iceland

The sulphur dioxide cloud has swept across northern Scotland and is predicted to continue its descent across the UK.

A toxic gas cloud unleashed by volcanic eruptions in Iceland has reached the UK and is set to continue its journey across the country.

The Met Office is keeping a close eye on the movements of the sulphur dioxide cloud, which was detected in the Highlands' atmosphere in the early hours of Sunday (August 26). It emerged from eruptions near Grindavik on Thursday (August 22).

Forecasters anticipate the cloud will move southward through Scotland and over the border in the coming days. Despite being invisible, the gas carries a strong stench and is expected to leave British skies by Wednesday evening (August 28).

Sulphur dioxide is often emitted by burning fossil fuels and also vents during volcanic eruptions. It poses health risks such as throat irritation and nausea when encountered in high concentrations.

However, meteorologists have indicated that the "small concentrations" present will likely not worsen air pollution levels at the ground.

Recent volcanic activity in southwest Iceland saw its sixth eruption since December last week, propelling both lava and gases into the atmosphere.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "A sulphur dioxide plume which originated from the volcano in Iceland has been crossing the UK high up in the atmosphere and will soon clear to the south-east. Impacts have been low from this sulphur dioxide, as it is high in the atmosphere and is having little influence on ground-level air quality.

"Small concentrations at surface level mean that the air pollution levels remain 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."

Iceland's strong seismic activity and stunning volcanic landscapes are due to the country sitting on two tectonic plates shifting apart from one another, known as seismic shifts.

On Sunday, Iceland's authorities said that a group of tourists visiting a cave at a glacier close to the current spate of activity had been hit by the collapse of a wall of ice.

One American tourist was killed while another was rushed to hospital by air ambulance. A search was launched for two others believed to be trapped beneath the ice. It's currently unknown whether the incident was a result of the recent earthquakes.

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