The Associated Press
REYKJAVIK, Iceland -
A volcano in southern Iceland erupted for the first time in almost 200 years, raising concerns that it could trigger a larger and potentially more dangerous eruption at a volatile volcano nearby.
The eruption at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, located near a glacier of the same name, shot ash and molten lava into the air but scientists called it mostly peaceful.
It occurred just before midnight Saturday at a fissure on a slope - rather than at the volcano's summit - so scientists said there was no imminent danger that the glacier would melt and flood the area.
After an aerial survey Sunday, scientists concluded the eruption struck near the glacier in an area that had no ice.
"This is the best possible place for an eruption," said Tumi Gudmundsson, a geologist at the University of Iceland.
Officials had sent phone messages to 450 people between the farming village of Hvolsvollur and the fishing village of Vik, 100 miles southeast of the capital, Reykjavik, urging them to evacuate immediately after the eruption.
There were no reports of injuries or damage. Evacuation centers were set up, but many people returned to their homes later Sunday.
Scientists say it is difficult to predict what comes next. "It could stop tomorrow, it could last for weeks or months. We cannot say at this stage," Gudmundsson said.
The eruption came after thousands of small earthquakes rocked the area in the past month.
"The volcano has been inflating since the beginning of the year," said Pall Einarsson, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland.
Einarsson and Gudmundsson said the eruption could trigger a more damaging eruption at the nearby Katla volcano, which lies under the thick Myrdalsjokull icecap and threatens massive flooding and explosive blasts if it erupts.
"One of the possible scenarios we're looking at is that this small eruption could bring about something bigger," he said.
All domestic flights in Iceland - a nation of 320,000 people - were canceled Sunday because airborne ash might interfere with aircraft engines.
Most international flights into and out of Iceland were delayed but returning to normal, Icelandair said.
The airline's flights from the U.S. - departing from Seattle, Boston and Orlando - were due later Sunday in Reykjavik. Earlier, a flight was turned back to Boston, leaving about 500 people waiting for hours.
|