by Jo
22. March 2010 12:36
A long-dormant volcano has erupted in Iceland. The volcano, near Eyjafjallajoekull glacier in the south of the country has been dormant for 200 years, and its eruption has ripped a 1km-long fissure in a field of ice.
With lava soaring hundred metres high, Icelandic airspace has been closed, flights diverted and roads closed. A state of emergency is in force in southern Iceland and about 500 people were moved from the area.
The eruption was about 120km (75 miles) east of the capital, Reykjavik; if you’re following developments, you may like to use the best map of the area: Hiking Map 4: Landmannalaugar – Thorsmork – Fjallabak 1:100 000.
These pictures were supplied by our contact at Mál og menning, Iceland’s leading cartographic publishers.
NEWS UPDATE: 15 April 2010
Iceland volcanic eruption cancels UK flights
The volcanic ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajoekull eruption has drifted down from Iceland over northern Europe, leading to the cancellation of flights.
All non-emergency flights from UK airports are now cancelled today (15 April 2010) from noon to 6pm at the earliest, as the ash is dangerous for jet engines and flight visibility.
