A University of Iceland geophysicist says there are now clear signs that the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which began erupting on Wednesday, is slowing down. Attention is now turning to the more violent Katla volcano which many fear will erupt next. However, there are no indications that Katla is reawakening at the moment.
AFP reports Sigrun Hreinsdottir, a geophysicist with the University of Iceland, as saying that the lava flow has slowed and that the whole eruption could now slow dramatically as a result.
Hreinsdottir says it appears the lava is flowing from a lava chamber one kilometre deep. She likens the lava chamber to a bursting balloon, adding that nobody knows how much lava is inside in order to accurately predict when the eruption will stop fully.
The pressurised lava always tries to find the easiest way out, she says. That was at Fimmvorduhals in March and is now at the top of Eyjafjallajokull. The build-up of pressure when this eruption finishes will lead eventually to another volcano erupting. History teaches that Katla may well be next, but whether that will be tomorrow, in one year, or never, is impossible to say today. Katla last erupted in 1918.
Click here to see a series of eruption photos, including night time shots where lightning can clearly be seen in the ash cloud.
Main photo: mbl.is/Golli – Small photo: Agust Rafnsson
I was stuck in Australia for 2 weeks exrtra than planned!
Wait a second … does this mean i will not be able to go to America In August… i am from England sooo :S
You can read about the health implications of the volcanic eruption here:
http://bit.ly/anktJr
Nice guys in Iceland… I like your style. :) Icelandic revenge for the financial issues of the capitalists :) Good job guys.
@Martin – Perhaps this ferry should be OK? – The name is at least perfect for the job.
http://www.fjordfaehren.de/no_f/askoy_i.jpg
By the way, my plan this week was in fact to visit Vesuv and Pompeii…
Strange as it is, with a very high percentage of Northern European commercial air traffic grounded, due to the risks associated with the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokul Volcano, a Major NATO military drill is taking place.
I have not found any reports of military aircraft involved in the exercise ‘Brilliant Mariner’, being grounded due to the dangers posed to other aircraft.
It does seem rather strange that while volcanic ash is keeping all commercial aircraft on the ground around the U.K. this exercise is taking place.
http://just-me-in-t.blogspot.com/2010/04/who-gets-to-fly-when-and-who-decides.html
Some people seem to rejoice (or joke) about the ” revenge of Iceland” but I think this eruption has more negative results for Iceland than for Europe.
Apart from the disruption in air traffic, it destroys infrastructure, endangers houses, forces people out of their house and covers large part of the country with toxic ash.
AFAIK the ash from this vulcano contains fluor which is poisonous and kils cattle.
My wife and I are planning to hae a holiday in Iceland in june. Hopefully no more eruptions by then!
Sigga, during one of the Katla’s eruptions, 25% of icelandic population perished… So I can really tell you that if Katla erupts we all in Iceland could be in great danger because of the poisoning gases. We are lucky that until now ashes are going sought with the wind, but, in case Katla erupted and the wind went inland and into Reykjavík I can truly assure you that we would be in GREAT DANGER…
There were good links with Iceland, Norway, Shetland and Faros from the Uk by ship – perhaps a good time to start this again.
I would like to know how would it effect Iceland itself if Katla blows, we live in Hveragerði with our children.
O.K. guys, we have got the message! But enough is enough!! You close down that bloody volcano and we offer you excellent conditions for the Icesave money. But you make the first move to show good face!!
Rommert Jorritsma
The Netherlands
O.K. guys, we got the message, enough is enough! You close down that bloody volcano and we make you an excellent offer for the Icesave money. But you have to move first!
Rommert Jorritsma
The Netherlands
O.K. guys, you have made your point, but enough is enough! You close down that bloody volcano and we will make you an excellent offer for that Icesave money! But you make the first move!!
Rommert Jorritsma
The Netherlands
Only time will tell how long this disaster will last. The wind could change quite suddenly and some airspace could open up. The Volcano could suddenly spew more of its destructive gas and ash high into the atmosphere. There is no telling what will happen in the next few days, or how this will affect global weather patterns either.
http://just-me-in-t.blogspot.com/2010/04/gloom-and-doom-follows-fallout.html
This is the GREAT ICELANDIC REVENGE! All europe bow to little iceland! hahahah
How much time it needed to slow down????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
unusual phenomenon I would certainly like to come and study it let me know loci
i hope it will stop soon, because i am supposed to be going there in july… ;_;
First Icesave. Now this Volcano. Please get your house in order Iceland
I stops me on my trip to Germany, I hope it stops soon.
Go to http://www.cnn.com the http://www.bbcnews.com the story is airing all over the world. Best of luck to you all.
The world is watching and reading your news. Your news has less news about the volcano than the rest of the world. Thousands are stranded in the EU., Germany pres is stuck in Spain, Norway pres in NJ with an IPAD to run his govt.
Price gouging going on for those stuck in the EU. The ash is going up 30,000 feet into the air and fears that it could wipe out some crops if and when it lands.
i hope it stops soon! i was supposed to go africa but now it looks like i wont be able to go :(