Who farted? Hydrogen sulphide transport from Bardarbunga to Scandinavia

TL;DR

This study links the foul smell reported in Scandinavia to hydrogen sulphide emissions from the Bardarbunga volcano in Iceland, using satellite data and atmospheric modeling to trace the gas transport.

Contribution

It demonstrates how satellite SO2 data combined with atmospheric transport modeling can identify volcanic gas sources affecting distant regions.

Findings

Foul odors in Scandinavia originated from Bardarbunga volcano.

Satellite SO2 data correlates with observed gas transport.

Model results match ground-based SO2 measurements.

Abstract

On September 9 2014 several incidences of foul smell (rotten eggs) were reported on the coast of Norway (in particular in the vicinity of Molde) and then on September 10 in the interior parts of county V\"asterbotten, Sweden. One of the theories that were put forward was that the foul smell was due to degassing of the Bardarbunga volcano on Iceland. Using satellite images (GOME-1,-2) of the sulphur dioxide, SO_2, contents in the atmosphere surrounding Iceland to estimate flux of SO_2 from the volcano and an atmospheric transport model, PELLO, we vindicate this theory: we argue that the cause for the foul smell was hydrogen sulphide originating from Bardarbunga. The model concentrations are also compared to SO_2 concentration measurements from Muonio, Finland.