Iceland volcanic activity raises alert for aviation
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Iceland’s meteorological office has raised the risk level to the aviation industry for a volcanic eruption to the fourth level on a five-grade scale.
Activity from the Bardarbunga volcano is said to have been intense since Saturday although there has not been an eruption yet.
The orange level of risk to the aviation industry came after a strong earthquake was registered in the area on Monday, which has caused indications of moving magma, according to The Guardian.
The colour codes are used to tell the aviation industry about the status of volcanoes.
Bardarbunga is in a different region to the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that shut down most of European airspace in April 2010 for six days when an ash cloud was formed.
It is currently unknown whether an ash cloud of the same size will be formed, dependent on its height, density and volume.
A statement from Iceland’s met office read: “As evidence of magma movement shallower than 10km implies increased potential of a volcanic eruption, the Bardarbunga aviation colour code has been changed to orange. Presently there are no signs of eruption, but it cannot be excluded that the current activity will result in an explosive subglacial eruption, leading to an outburst flood and ash emission.”
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