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A 5.7 MAGNITUDE earthquake struck Iceland’s largest volcanic system today.
There is currently an orange alert in place indicating an increased potential of an eruption.
A major explosion at the Bardarbunga volcano, located under a glacier, could stage a replay of the global travel chaos that followed when another Icelandic peak erupted four years ago, creating a massive ash cloud across Europe.
The tremor, registered on the Icelandic Met Office’s website, was the strongest recorded in the volcanic system since the volcano became active a week and a half ago.
It was also the most powerful earthquake to hit the area since 1996.
The Department of Civil Protection tweeted:
Almannavarnir / TwitterSeismic activity is still strong in #Bardarbunga Over 500 earthquakes since midnight. The largest one was M5,7 at 01:26 #volcano #Iceland
— Almannavarnir (@almannavarnir) August 26, 2014
The alert level for Bardarbunga was downgraded to orange on Sunday after one day at the highest level, which led to the closure of airspace in the affected area.
However, all airports in the country have remained opened since the tremors began.
Seismic activity remains high in the area, with earthquakes shaking the volcanic system more than 20 times per hour this morning.
The eruption of Eyjafjoell, a smaller volcano, in April 2010 caused travel mayhem, stranding more than eight million people in the widest airspace shutdown since World War II.
Iceland’s most active sub-glacial volcano Grimsvotn erupted in 2011, forcing the country to temporarily shut its airspace and sparking fears of a repeat of the Eyjafjoell flight chaos.
Iceland is home to more than 100 volcanic mountains, including some of the most active in the world.
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Most news outlets are mad for including the whole ‘ airlines were grounded in 2010 because of ash cloud’ line in this story. There are no indications that this will happen this time around,it’s just scare mongering,targeting people who are going abroad
Yep, Sensationalist tripe as usual.
Oh look. The logo is a triangle in a circle. Therefore the volcano is an illuminati conspiracy. Gotcha evil reptilian overlords. Checkmate
Most powerful earthquake since tremors began ! – a little misleading there don’t you think.
What do they expect from a country that was formed from volcanic activity
Hehe. Very good.
Bet ya Joan Burton is on her knees praying that the Volcano goes off on a mad one. €54million saved by the eruption in 2010 coz the ahem “jobseekers” could’nt fly in & out on Air Cheapo flights to collect their illicit dole handouts!!!
Grow up you moron
Please insert all sexual jokes bellow.
Hehehe you said ‘insert’ Hehehe
I was thinking along the lines “she’s gonna blow “
This story is only going to climax with a massive eruption!
Good to have ye mr Heisenberg any pizzas
I know a guy who does some good fried chicken!
Mmmmhhhhh!!!! Chicken.
You could say the volcano is feeling “hot”, yea? Yea?
have your say