Iceland’s meteorological office has raised the risk level of an eruption at the Bardarbunga volcano to orange, the second highest, following “intense seismic activity”.
That “intense seismic activity” began at the volcano on 16 August, and there was a strong earthquake in the region early on Monday, the met office said.
“This is the strongest earthquake measured in the region since 1996.”
Europe’s air authority, Eurocontrol, said it was monitoring the Bardarbunga situation but that there is no impact at this time on European aviation. It also insists that Europe is better prepared this time.
“Europe is more prepared to deal with volcanic ash these days; we have better mechanisms in place than we did in 2010. Every year, volcanic ash exercises are conducted and we learn from them: the latest one was held in April this year,” it said.
“However, volcanic ash is still a hazard for aviation and does have the potential to cause disruption. Safety is, as ever, our primary concern.”
The ash cloud produced by the Eyjafjallajokull eruption (yeah, the one nobody could pronounce!) led to hundreds of thousands of passengers being affected by flight restrictions (pictured).
Let’s hope we don’t get a repeat.
Image via Getty
