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Iceland volcano: Grimsvotn eruption hits flights Iceland volcano: Grimsvotn eruption hits flights
(about 1 hour later)
Iceland has closed its main international airport and cancelled domestic flights after its most active volcano, Grimsvotn, began erupting.Iceland has closed its main international airport and cancelled domestic flights after its most active volcano, Grimsvotn, began erupting.
A plume of smoke has risen 20km (12 miles) into the sky from the volcano.A plume of smoke has risen 20km (12 miles) into the sky from the volcano.
But Iceland's Meteorological Office says the eruption should not cause widespread disruption to air traffic.But Iceland's Meteorological Office says the eruption should not cause widespread disruption to air traffic.
Last year, ash clouds from another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokul, led to the closure of a large section of European airspace.Last year, ash clouds from another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokul, led to the closure of a large section of European airspace.
Governments feared that ash particles could cause aircraft engines to fail, and the closure caused chaos to air travellers.Governments feared that ash particles could cause aircraft engines to fail, and the closure caused chaos to air travellers.
Different ashDifferent ash
Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, a spokeswoman for the Isavia civil aviation authority - which has imposed a flight ban of 120 nautical miles (222 km) around Grimsvotn - said: "We have closed the area until we know better what effect the ash will have." Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, a spokeswoman for the Isavia civil aviation authority said: "We have closed the area until we know better what effect the ash will have."
Keflavik airport, the country's main hub, will remain shut for the rest of the day, the authority said. The authority said Keflavik airport, the country's main hub, would remain shut for the rest of Sunday.
But officials say the eruption is unlikey to have the same impact as last year's. But officials say the eruption is unlikely to have the same impact as Eyjafjallajokul in 2010.
Pall Einarsson, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland, said the 2010 eruption was a rare event. University of Iceland geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson said this was Grimsvotn's largest eruption for 100 years, "much bigger and more intensive than Eyjafjallajokull".
"The ash in Eyjafjallajokull was persistent or unremitting and fine-grained," he said. He added: "There is a very large area in south-east Iceland where there is almost total darkness and heavy fall of ash. But it is not spreading nearly as much. The winds are not as strong as they were in Eyjafjallajokull."
"The ash in Grimsvotn is more coarse and not as likely to cause danger as it falls to the ground faster and doesn't stay as long in the air as in the Eyjafjallajokull eruption." He said this ash was coarser than last year's eruption, falling to the ground more quickly instead of floating long distances.
Icelandair pilot Thor Kristinsson told the BBC he had flown near the volcano on Saturday. Europe's air traffic control organisation said on Sunday: "There is currently no impact on European or trans-Atlantic flights and the situation is expected to remain so for the next 24 hours.
"We were able to finish our flight but we did see the ash plume rise fast. We were at 38,000 feet ... and the ash was at least at 40,000 feet at that time. "Aircraft operators are constantly being kept informed of the evolving situation."
"It looks at least as bad as the one last year and it looks like it could get worse. It's as big, if not bigger than the last ash cloud."
Threat to enginesThreat to engines
Grimsvotn lies under the the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull in south-east Iceland.Grimsvotn lies under the the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull in south-east Iceland.
Reuters news agency says that when it last erupted in 2004, transatlantic flights had to be re-routed south of Iceland, but no airports were closed. When it last erupted in 2004, transatlantic flights had to be re-routed south of Iceland, but no airports were closed.
Last year's outpouring of ash from Eyjafjallajokull led to the largest closure of European airspace since World War II.Last year's outpouring of ash from Eyjafjallajokull led to the largest closure of European airspace since World War II.
About 10 million travellers were affected and some questioned whether the shutdown was an over-reaction.About 10 million travellers were affected and some questioned whether the shutdown was an over-reaction.
However, a scientific study published last month said the safety concerns had been well founded.However, a scientific study published last month said the safety concerns had been well founded.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland said ash particles from the early part of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption were especially abrasive, posing a possible threat to aircraft engines.Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland said ash particles from the early part of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption were especially abrasive, posing a possible threat to aircraft engines.
Are you in Iceland? Have you been affected by the flight ban? Are you near to the volcano site? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Iceland? Have you been affected by the flight ban? Are you near to the volcano site? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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