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| Icelandic volcano: countdown to potential travel chaos as Bardarbunga lava reaches surface | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The eruption of the Bardarbunga volcano that threatens to disrupt travel plans across the UK and Europe could take place within hours, and scientists have little clear picture about how much lava could spill out. | |
| The Icelandic Met Office warned at 5pm on Saturday night that “it could be 0-20 hours before lava reaches the surface of the ice”. | The Icelandic Met Office warned at 5pm on Saturday night that “it could be 0-20 hours before lava reaches the surface of the ice”. |
| Scientists are unable to predict exactly when the eruption could happen and when, because of a lack of clarity about the thickness of the ice at the point where the eruption would make contact with it, and the amount of lava that could be thrown out. The Icelandic Met Office and the University of Iceland's Institute of Earth Scientists are monitoring the situation after a small lava eruption and an earthquake were reported on Saturday afternoon. | Scientists are unable to predict exactly when the eruption could happen and when, because of a lack of clarity about the thickness of the ice at the point where the eruption would make contact with it, and the amount of lava that could be thrown out. The Icelandic Met Office and the University of Iceland's Institute of Earth Scientists are monitoring the situation after a small lava eruption and an earthquake were reported on Saturday afternoon. |
| Scientists, who are flying over the area regularly, expect there is 150-400 meters of ice above the volcano. | Scientists, who are flying over the area regularly, expect there is 150-400 meters of ice above the volcano. |
| Local news has set up a live stream of the volcano — with commenters on YouTube betting on when the lava will break through the ice — though there is little activity, and the camera largely shows views of the Icelandic countryside. | Local news has set up a live stream of the volcano — with commenters on YouTube betting on when the lava will break through the ice — though there is little activity, and the camera largely shows views of the Icelandic countryside. |
| Roads around the volcano have been closed as scientists monitor the situation. | Roads around the volcano have been closed as scientists monitor the situation. |
| Some airlines have started to divert flights away from the affected area. Many flights between the UK and the western part of North America fly over Iceland, and travellers' rights from insurers and airlines vary between providers. | Some airlines have started to divert flights away from the affected area. Many flights between the UK and the western part of North America fly over Iceland, and travellers' rights from insurers and airlines vary between providers. |
| The Icelandic Met Office changed the volcano’s status to red on Saturday afternoon, after it began erupting. The code means that “eruption is imminent or in progress — significant emission of ash into atmosphere likely”. | The Icelandic Met Office changed the volcano’s status to red on Saturday afternoon, after it began erupting. The code means that “eruption is imminent or in progress — significant emission of ash into atmosphere likely”. |
| A tourist bus prepares for departure near the volcano. Many had hoped that the activity indicated a 'tourist eruption' — one that visitors could go and visit — but fears have quickly grown that disruption could be on its way. | A tourist bus prepares for departure near the volcano. Many had hoped that the activity indicated a 'tourist eruption' — one that visitors could go and visit — but fears have quickly grown that disruption could be on its way. |
| Airspace over the site is closed but all airports in the country remain open. Tourists have been helped to leave the area. | Airspace over the site is closed but all airports in the country remain open. Tourists have been helped to leave the area. |
| The volcano has seen increased activity since last weekend. | The volcano has seen increased activity since last weekend. |