The southern area of Iceland experienced a volcano late Saturday night, March 20, 2010. According to a report of Forbes, the area of the volcano is being evacuated, but no one is in immediate danger. Air travelers may experience some inconvenience through, as most of Iceland has been declared a no-fly zone.
Iceland is an Arctic Island that has become an efficient air hub for travelers between North America and Europe. Reykjavik Airport, in the capital of Iceland, is the main airport of the island, and the headquarters for the discount airline, Icelandair.
The Iceland volcano took place beside a glacier, in the southern portion of Iceland. The volcano did not erupt below ice, which lessens the chance of flooding from a glacier melt. "This is the best possible place for an eruption, as the area is not covered by ice," said Tumi Gudumundsson, a geologist at the University of Iceland said in an interview with the national broadcaster, RUV, according to Forbes.
Fear of flooding has caused authorities to evacuate about 450 people from the area southeast of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. The evacuation is a precaution. No damages or injuries have been reported, according to Vidir Reynisson of the Icelandic Civil Protection Department.
A state of emergency has been declared in the vicinity of the glacier. Three Red Cross centers have been set up for evacuees in the village of Hella.
The Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration has declared the area 120 miles away from the volcano a no-fly zone, essentially cutting Iceland off from air traffic. Three flights from the U.S. Into Iceland have been diverted of grounded. All flights have canceled until further notice.
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