Iceland on volcano alert

Iceland on volcano alert

REYKJAVIK: Iceland has put its Coast Guard on alert after scientists warned that one of the country’s biggest volcanoes is showing increased levels of unrest.

A warning sign blocks the road to the Bardarbunga volcano, 20 kilometres away, in the northwest region of the Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland. (Reuters Photo)

"The rate of earthquakes has increased such that they are happening so quickly that it is difficult for the seismologist to discern individual events," the Reykjavik-based Meteorological Office said in a statement. "The activity continues and an eruption can therefore not be ruled out."

The Bardarbunga volcano is 25 kilometres wide and rises about 1,900 metres above sea level. It last erupted in 1996 and can spew both ash and molten lava.

The volcano lies beneath Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Roads to and from the area have been closed and the Coast Guard was scheduled to fly over the area with scientists from the University of Iceland and Civil Protection Agency staff.

Ash from Iceland’s Grimsvotn volcano forced flight cancellations in Scotland, northern England and Germany in May 2011. An eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in April 2010 forced more than 100,000 flights to be canceled on concern glass-like particles formed from lava could melt in aircraft engines and clog turbines.

The Met Office last Monday raised the aviation colour code to "orange", indicating "heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption" from Bardarbunga. The agency continues to note that there are still no visible indications of an eruption.

The closest town to the volcano is Husavik in the island's north, with about 2,200 inhabitants.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT