Update on Iceland's Volcanic Eruption

The volcanic eruption that began last Wednesday remains ongoing as ash clouds drift across Europe. The volcano is located under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland, and the eruption sent an enormous plume of dust and volcanic ash into the air. The volcanic cloud has travelled across much of Europe and is wreaking havoc on air traffic.

The eruption of the volcano at Eyjafjallajokull began March 20, 2010, and a increased volcanic activity has occurred since mid-April. The latest round of eruptions has caused a huge economic impact, as air traffic across Europe was brought to a halt.

The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) has been monitoring the air traffic control situation closely. Eurocontrol has been tracking the spread of the smoke and ash cloud from the volcanic eruption on a daily basis. Daily maps of the ash cloud and Eurocontrol news releases can be found at http://www.eurocontrol.int/corporate/public/site_preferences/display_news_list.html .

Eurocontrol also maps and tracks air navigation across Europe. A Eurocontrol spokesperson has been announcing the total number of flights affected by the volcano.

Today: 8000-9000 flights expected, 28,000 normally

April 18, 2010: 5000 flights were expected, 24,000 normally

April 17, 2010: 5000 flights scheduled, 28,000 normally

As you can see, the impact of the volcanic eruption will be astronomical. Eurocontrol has explained that the reason for the cancellation of so many flights is due to more than poor visibility. The volcanic ash particles could cause the plane to have mechanical failure.

Airport closures are taking place across Europe as the volcanic ash cloud is spread by the wind. Airport closures have included: Charles de Gaulle in Paris, France, Heathrow in London, England, and Schiphol in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. These are some of the busiest airports in the world.

In addition, airspace has been closed over the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania and the Netherlands. It was partially closed in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland.

There is some good news, however, according to scientists studying the volcano. An AFP reporter released the following statement earlier this morning:

REYKJAVIK - Iceland's volcanic eruption as well as the towering column of ash spewing out of it have both declined significantly, an Icelandic seismologist said Monday. "Currently the eruption has diminished markedly," Bryndis Brandsdottir of the University of Iceland told AFP, basing her comment on seismological radar readings in Reykjavik.

"The ash column does not rise above 3,000 metres (9,800 feet)," or less than half its original height, she added. Icelandic geophysicist and civil protection advisor Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson agreed that the ash column from the Eyjafjallajokull eruption -- which has paralysed air travel in most of Europe -- was decreasing, five days after it began.

If no further volcanic eruptions occur, this could mean that air traffic will be under way soon.

Sources:

Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/corporate/public/subsite_homepage/index.html

AFP http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hA1ex2_G7BpN1qnenCpoTZNHlt3g