Melting ice could trigger Icelandic volcano eruption
Scientists are closely monitoring an Icelandic volcano as melted glacial ice pouring from its crater may trigger an eruption.
Icelandic Meteorological Office geophysicist Steinunn Jakobsdottir said ice water from the crater of the subglacial Grimsvotn volcano caused the river Gigja to reach its maximum level.
That activity, coupled with about three small earthquakes a week at the site, could lead to an eruption.
Grimsvotn last erupted in 2004, when flood waters were at similar levels to those observed yesterday.
It lies under the uninhabited Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland.
Scientists say Grimsvotn only erupted for several days in 2004 and is unlikely to lead to the air travel chaos caused by ash spewing from the Eyjafjallajokul volcano in April.
