Transatlantic volcanic smoke making skies hazy

The debris of a smouldering volcano has again visited Barbadian airspace in just six months but this time has come from the opposite direction, thousands of miles over the Atlantic.

After thick dust blanketed the island and darkened skies in April from the eruption of St Vincent’s La Soufriere volcano,  hazy skies that reduced visibility across the island Thursday from volcanic smoke from the erupting La Palma Volcano in the Canary Islands, 4,734 km away made its presence felt.

According to the Barbados Meteorological Services, “the intensity of the volcanic smoke will vary over the next few days once eruptions continue”.

LaPalma, located off the northwest coast of Africa, entered its 32nd day of volcanic activity on Thursday, having erupted on September 19.

It has destroyed nearly 2,000 buildings and forced the evacuation of 7,500.

The Met Office has advised people with breathing issues or allergies to ensure that they travel with or have close at hand all prescribed relevant medications.

It also advised mariners to take note of the reduction in visibility and monitor the situation closely, along with the forecast for any possible deterioration. (SD)