Iceland volcano triggers air traffic ban

Iceland has issued a red alert to aviation after indications of a possible eruption under the country's biggest glacier, the Vattnajokull. The Icelandic Met Office warned that a small eruption had taken place under the Dyngjujokull ice cap.

Airspace over the site has been closed, but all Icelandic airports currently remain open, authorities say. A Europe-wide alert has also been upgraded.

Iceland volcano: Eruption under ice-cap sparks red alert

Two earthquakes measuring greater than 5 in magnitude — the biggest yet — shook the volcano beneath Iceland's vast Vatnajokull glacier early Sunday. The Met Office recorded earthquakes of 5.3 and 5.1 in the early hours.

Iceland volcano: Bardarbunga remains quiet

Ice caps the volcano, which complicates the efforts at prediction, says Gudmundsson. If the magma erupts beneath the ice, the result would be sudden floods and a buildup of water vapor and pressure under the ice cap that could lead to a tremendous explosion if the magma melts through, sending ash as high as the stratosphere. That’s what happened in 2010.

Icelandic Volcano Eruption Leads to Air Travel Warning