Sunday, August 24, 2014

Iceland Volcano Ready to Erupt

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Scientists, tracking thousands of earthquakes caused by the Bardarbunga volcano, believed at one point the grumbling glacial region would erupt within days.  Fears of a sub-glacial eruption were wrong, for now.

Seismic activity resultant from the rumbling volcano caused thousands of earthquakes during the last week, two of which measured over 5 in magnitude.  The volcano lies beneath Iceland's vast Vatnajokull glacier.

A heightened potential for an eruption remains in place, but the alert leading to a no-fly zone for aviators around the volcano has been lifted.

In 2010, the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul volcano caused a week of international aviation chaos, resulting in the cancellation of more than 100,000 flights.

An eruption of the Bardarbunga volcano could create interruptions in air travel, create a colder winter for surrounding areas, and result in significant damage to nearby communities in Iceland from not only the lava flow, but the ash, and increased seismic activity.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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