Iceland volcano may erupt soon, scientists say
Iceland's Hekla volcano, pictured in 2006, has erupted four times since 1970. The last eruption was in February 2000.
July 6th, 2011
10:55 AM ET

Iceland volcano may erupt soon, scientists say

An eruption of Hekla, one of Iceland's most famous volcanoes, may be imminent, scientists in the island nation say.

Pall Einarsson, a geophysics professor at the University of Iceland, told Iceland Review that sensors around the volcano have shown unusual movements in the past few days.

While those sensors are new and the data they provide cannot be seen as conclusive proof that an eruption is coming, Einarsson told Agence-France Presse that "the volcano is ready to erupt."

"The mountain has been slowly expanding in the last few years because of magma buildup," AFP quotes Einarsson as saying.

And it may be due for an eruption. Hekla has erupted four times since 1970, about once every 10 years. The last eruption was on February 26, 2000.

Hekla is close to the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which erupted last year and emitted a massive ash cloud that spread across Europe and forced the cancellation of thousands of airline flights a day.

Air traffic was again disrupted by volcanic ash in May when Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano erupted. Grimsvotn's eruption was more than 10 times larger and put more ash into the air in 36 hours than Eyjafjallajokull did in a month, University of Iceland geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson told CNN then, but flight disruptions were far fewer because prevailing winds pushed the ash away from populated areas.

Geophysicist Ari Trausit Gudmundsson told AFP that Hekla usually erupts with both lava and ash and "if the next eruption is of the same character (as the previous ones) it is unlikely that it will have any effects on flights in Europe."

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Filed under: Air travel • Iceland • Volcano • World
soundoff (14 Responses)
  1. donnamarinchekmarn01

    Pay Attention,to this Volcano........I have a Terrible affect on this Dam Volcano.I think my 10 Uncles....Speak thru it!!

    July 6, 2011 at 11:09 am | Report abuse |
  2. DotHead Ragneeshie

    We have much better volcanos in India They will erupt for one third of what you are paying.

    July 6, 2011 at 11:15 am | Report abuse |
  3. joe

    lol, yer crazier than a bag of hammers donna 😀

    July 6, 2011 at 11:16 am | Report abuse |
  4. HRH banasy

    *Sigh*

    July 6, 2011 at 11:29 am | Report abuse |
  5. CSnSC

    Hey, Iceland has a volcano the rest of the world can pronounce!

    July 6, 2011 at 11:46 am | Report abuse |
  6. Kyser

    More epic Ash Clouds please!

    July 6, 2011 at 11:59 am | Report abuse |
  7. Philip

    What's the name of that big volcano in Antarctica that burnt a hole in the eath's ozone layer? Good thing it did too, otherwise with all that pollution blocking life-sustaining ultraviolet light, we would all be dead. (until the human eye is exposed to at least 20 min. of direct UV light, it's virtually impossible to metabolize vitamins, particularly those that fight cancer. Lack of UV light exposure also makes it impossible for a human to convert sunlight and live-green vegetables into the only chemical known to science and medicine that can scrub fats and toxins from human cells. Our nationwide average weight per person would go down if UV sunglasses were outlawed and people were forced to eat their veggies, in other words.

    July 6, 2011 at 12:10 pm | Report abuse |
    • Sevinthseal

      Oh, I get it. You think Ann Coulter is hot.

      July 7, 2011 at 2:57 am | Report abuse |
  8. CSnSC

    And, Philip dont forget our precious bodily fluids.

    July 6, 2011 at 12:27 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Jeshurun

    Hi folks and peace unto you in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. My name is Jeshurun. It has been given to me by God. The Lord has ordained me as one of two end of days witnesses (prophets). In November 2007 God called me. The Lord led me into the mountains of Washington state: before God was done with me I found myself walking down a body of water dragging the soles of my slippers along the stones; close to the end of this walk were two witnesses and their dogs; at the end of this walk I was instructed to say this, "it is done". These three words appear twice in the book of Revelation. I did not know that then. The walk lasted from sunrise until sunset. The walk is biblical. May 24 2011 the abomination of desolation was set up. On July 11 2011 blessing will be received. The beast spoken of in the book of Revelation will arise out of Iran. I have less then one week left with you all if you are getting this far in this comment then take heed the words may be meant for you. Go to youtube; under search type in my name "Jeshurun"; go to sort by and change this to upload date: Scroll down until you find me, you will know when you are correct. Folks time is running out. You out there that have have Jesus Christ in your hearts and in your lifes are going to fare these times just fine. Refuse to step off this solid foundation no matter what is thrown at you refuse to be removed. If they start hating you refuse to hate them back, but instead pay back good for evil; continue in your faith and press into the word of God. If you do not have Jesus in your lifes and you have not shut me out already then hear closely to me. Time is coming to a close it is not long now. I ask of you no I beg of you seek out Christ. He is not far from any of us. He is quick to hear and quick to heal; ask him into your hearts and he will not let you down. He loves you and he will not forsake you. Everyone around you including your own family may forsake you, but Jesus will not ever! If you out there refuse to believe in God and his Christ I am so very very sorry but you have been deceived and being such you are reserved for the day of God's wrath. I ask you to remember this. God is never far off; cry out his name and believe in your hearts and you will be saved..walk in Christ...I love you all, God loves you more..watch and pray always..our redemption is at the doors..

    Jeshurun

    July 7, 2011 at 1:15 am | Report abuse |
    • Nico

      Jeshurun, what is the abomination of desolation that was set up?

      July 7, 2011 at 1:47 am | Report abuse |
    • Jeshurun

      Nico, I wish that I could be specific with the event that was set up, but I can not. Although, God has given me the dates the events will take place he has not given me the details. He has shown me where we are in Revelation. I am in this with you. I use to live in America. I am now aboding in Switzerland awaiting the end of days and no, I do not know when that day is. God is the only one that does. Many follks say that the abomination of desolation can not happen because the third temple has not been restored yet, but I tell this to you I believe this goes deeper then a third temple restoration but if I am wrong and this must happen let it be known it will happen just as God has planned. God has indeed spoken to me and yes I am an end of days witness. I could tell you what I believe this desolation is, but God's thoughts are not my thoughts nor his ways my ways. I believe this desolation will be world desolation and everything seems to be lining up for this. Sorry I could not be more help.
      Jeshurun

      July 7, 2011 at 3:03 am | Report abuse |
  10. Andy

    The volcano on this photo is defenitely not Hekla!
    Here is að better photo, Hekla is surounded with beautyful nature, green gras, has snow on its top.

    http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/07/07/meiri_thrystingur_en_fyrir_sidustu_eldgos/

    http://www.visir.is/allt-med-kyrrum-kjorum-i-heklu-erlendir-midlar-syna-fjallinu-ahuga/article/2011110709316

    July 7, 2011 at 7:56 am | Report abuse |
  11. yy

    fyi

    July 13, 2011 at 11:53 am | Report abuse |
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