The eruption of the volcano on La Palma is leaving images for history , but also smells that until now no one had been able to perceive, right now the smell of rotten eggs is appreciated. Behind the terrifying images that have been seen on television, the fury begins from the volcano and the rivers of lava devastating entire towns come the smells and sensations caused by this phenomenon that had not been repeated for decades. This is the reason why La Palma smells like a rotten egg right now.
The reason why La Palma smells like rotten eggs right now
The inhabitants of La Palma and the security forces displaced to the area, as well as the scientific community that monitors the evolution of the volcano on the ground, have reported the smell of rotten eggs. In addition to describing the sensations of living in this moment, showing the world the images of the disaster, there is also room for smells.
Since the lava from the volcano reached the sea , the environment has changed, the intense steam that is generated has spread a very characteristic smell throughout the area. We must not forget that in addition to what we see, there are chemical reactions invisible to the eyes that provoke a series of elements that the people who are in the place are able to describe, such as the smell of rotten eggs.
The La Palma volcano emits 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) per day, making it the main emitter of this chemical element in the world. In addition to this chemical, which is toxic if inhaled in large quantities, another equally harmful component has been added. With the arrival of the lava to the sea, hydrochloric acid is generated. Large columns of steam loaded with this acid are released into the sky of La Palma moving, following the direction of the wind. It is highly toxic and more if we add it to the amount of sulfur dioxide contained in the air of the place.
Faced with such a situation, the chemicals that are born and generated by the volcano are worsening the air quality in the area. You can’t see it, but you can smell it, those rotten eggs that seem to come from everywhere are the consequence of sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid that these days carry tons into the atmosphere. The authorities recommend that you leave the house as little as possible, close the windows and if you go outdoors, use a mask that traps the largest particles of these chemicals.
