Iceland Volcano Eruption - Ultimate Resource - 5-25-11
Mere months after recovering from the devastating effects of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in Iceland that kept airplanes grounded for several days, locals were hit with a second major explosion from the Grímsvötn volcano on May 21, 2011. When viewed from space, the plume of ash was very evident.
Although the latter was markedly more powerful, experts initially hoped that it would not have an impact on air transport. It only took a few days to realize that the masses of fine ash spewed into the air are already negatively affecting airplanes. Airports in Norway, Greenland, Denmark and Scotland have currently cancelled flights, citing delays due to the ash clouds. Ireland and some parts of the United Kingdom are also expecting air traffic delays as the ash clouds travel to their vicinities.
Despite the inconvenience, authorities still insist that the delays will not be as critical as last year, simply because the ash emitted from Grímsvötn is quite coarse and will descend quickly. Additionally, air traffic procedures have improved in the wake of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption and meteorologists predict that the ash will not travel to other parts of Europe. Pilot labor unions have voiced doubts however, and say that the ash still poses a justifiable danger. ISAVIA, the air traffic administration office of Iceland, declared a no-fly perimeter spanning 220 kilometers around the volcano.
The ash from the eruption completely darkened the sky and covered land, vehicles, crop fields and buildings. Even from a fair distance, the ash pillar and lightning bolts could be seen well above the volcano. All citizens in the surrounding area were advised to stay indoors, use gas masks, and shelter domestic and farm animals. No human fatalities have been reported despite the strength of the volcano. Birds and other wildlife have been found dead in the area, covered in volcano ash.
By May 24, scientists declared that the amounts of activity and ash discharge from the volcano have been steadily decreasing in the days following the initial eruption, suggesting that the eruption is likely coming to an end. Air in the upper altitudes also seems to be clearing as the ash falls to the ground. However, it is still uncertain whether the eruption has fully finished or if it may continue with smaller bursts over the next week. Some volcanic eruptions can continue for months at a time in reduced intensities.
An airplane flown by Ryanair through the thickest part of the ash cloud was found to have little to no traces of ash within the body and wings of the plane. However, air traffic officials are still erring on the safe side and locals are also warned to stay indoors until the eruption is officially declared to be complete. Tourists and other travelers are advised to monitor air traffic updates as some flights will still be delayed.
Grímsvötn is situated below the ice of a glacier, Vatnajokull, in the southeast area of Iceland. It is the most active of Iceland’s volcanoes and since it lies under a thick layer of ice, it has been known to cause floods and glacial bursts. The recent weekend explosion has been its largest in the last 100 years. Grímsvötn’s last major eruption was in 2004.
