Iceland Volcano Could Trigger Second Volcanic Eruption

by Jordan Yerman | March 22, 2010 at 09:09 am

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Iceland Volcanic Eruption Intensifying, May Cause Second Volcano to Erupt

Iceland's volcanic eruption on Saturday is continuing. The eruption, under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, caused a local state of emergency, and flights were routed away from Keflavik Airport due to the danger from airborne ash.

As the Iceland volcano continues to erupt, a new danger is emerging: nearby Mount Katla could also erupt. Mount Katla is submerged in a glacier, so, if it erupts, it would cause massive amounts of ice to melt, which in turn would lead to flooding.

Indeed, an 800m fissure has opened under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, which is moving toward the Myrdalsjokull, which covers Mount Katla.

According to Universit of Iceland geophysicist Pall Einarsson, the last three eruptions of Eyjafjallajokull have caused Mount Katla to erupt as well.

Eyjafjallajokul history
Myrdalsjokull Glacier location

"Police have increased surveillance in the whole area around the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers because of increased disturbance this morning in the volcanic eruption," the police and civil protection department said in a statement.

On Sunday, rescue teams evacuated 500 people from the rural area around the volcano and police declared a local state of emergency. International flights were diverted because of the risk of interference from ash clouds.