A heavy ash fall is affecting large areas in the south of Iceland. The ash fall started soon after the eruption begun yesterday, and there are areas that are currently in nearly complete darkness. The ring road leading to the volcano is currently closed due to close to zero visibility.The cameras at the Road Administration of Iceland are worth more than a thousand words – and they are updated in real time.
Grímsvötn Eruption - Road Administration Webcam at Lómagnúpur, south of the eruption, on May 22, 15:50
Grímsvötn Eruption - Road Administration Webcam at Eldhraun, south of the eruption, on May 22, 15:50
Anyhow, it currently seems unlikely the eruption will cause widespread chaos and affect the rest of the world as it happened last year, during Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption. The strength and direction of the wind, the fact the eruption is apparently retreating, and the composition of the ash – heavier than last year’s = are reasons to think ash will not spread as much as it did last year, according to the Iceland Meteorological Office.
Europe’s air traffic control organization representatives said there is currently no impact on European or trans-Atlantic flights and the situation should remain so throughout the day.
