Scientists watch for signs of eruption as earthquakes surge around Iceland volcano
WATCH ABOVE: Authorities in Iceland are warning the airline industry about a possible volcanic eruption that could send ash spewing into the sky – and into the path of planes. CBS’ Alphonso Van Marsh reports from London.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland – Iceland’s Meteorological Office is reporting a surge in seismic activity at the restless Bardarbunga volcano, but sees no evidence yet of any eruptions.
Thousands of small earthquakes have rattled the volcano deep beneath the Vatnajokull glacier over the past week. Activity increased Saturday following a lull.
Met Office vulcanologist Melissa Pfeffer says scientists will fly over the glacier Saturday to look for changes on the surface.
Iceland is keeping its aviation alert at “orange,” the second-highest level, amid what the Met calls “heightened levels of unrest.”
A 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokul volcano caused international aviation chaos, with more than 100,000 flights cancelled.
Aviation regulators since have reformed policies about flying through ash, so a new eruption would be unlikely to cause that much disruption.
© The Canadian Press, 2014