Iceland halts air travel following volcanic eruption.....*long-dormant 6,000 yrs.

DW ^ | 3/19/2021 | DW

[caww]

A long-dormant volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Friday 25 milesfrom the capital Reykjavik, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.

Local media reported inbound and outgoing air traffic had been halted from Keflavik International Airport, the country's largest, servicing the capital. The eruption followed thousands of smaller earthquakes in the area in recent weeks, with officials bracing for an eruption as a result. 'Color code red'

"We ask people to stay calm and not under any circumstances go close to the eruption site or on Reykjanesbraut. First responders need to be able to drive freely to assess the situation. Scientists are working on assessing the eruption," police said. Iceland's Minister of Justice Aslaug Arna Sigurbjornsdottir shared an image of the eruption showing a night sky glowing bright red.

The Icelandic Police Department said it expected volcanic gas pollution to extend as far as the southern coast of the Ölfus municipality, where at least 2,000 people live, almost 50 kilometers away from Reykjavik. Authorities added that the pollution might continue through the night, urging people to stay indoors and keep windows shut.

[SunkenCiv]

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