With the Iceland’s Eyjafjallajoekull glacial volcano continuing to spew ash into the air the nation’s president Olafur Grimsson described the eruption in an interview with BBC as a “small rehearsal” for potentially larger volcanic eruptions in the future.
Grimsson has had his hands full with the recent volcanic eruptions that first triggered an evacuation of citizens in March. Now, the nation is being covered with volcanic ash day after day. With the large number of active volcanoes in his country, Grimsson seems to think that the country is about to get hit by another eruption before it is all said and done. He also stated that Iceland has made preparations for potential upcoming eruptions.
“Unfortunately, what we have seen in the last few days could only be a beginning of an experience which might be repeated throughout the 21st century. What we have seen now is in fact a small rehearsal,” Grimsson told BBC News.
The concern the president has has a lot do with the highly active and potentially dangerous Hekla volcano. The last time it erupted was February 26, 2000 lasting until March 8th. Hekla was labeled the “Gateway to Hell” in the 1800’s.
Icelandic citizens may see a small bit of relief when the current high pressure weather system changes to a low pressure system. When that happens, the ash that continues to pour out of the volcano will be more likely to head north causing less problems, reported CNN.
Vulcanologist Simon Day of University College London commented on the length of the volcano’s eruption saying that it may not stop. The ash will most likely stay in the atmosphere, and the amount that is deposited in the air should lessen in frequency.
“So although the eruption may continue for a long time, and we may over the next few months see bursts of explosive activity, it’s probably not going to be as much of a problem as it has been during this last week,” Day told CNN.
Grimsson has had his hands full with the recent volcanic eruptions that first triggered an evacuation of citizens in March. Now, the nation is being covered with volcanic ash day after day. With the large number of active volcanoes in his country, Grimsson seems to think that the country is about to get hit by another eruption before it is all said and done. He also stated that Iceland has made preparations for potential upcoming eruptions.
“Unfortunately, what we have seen in the last few days could only be a beginning of an experience which might be repeated throughout the 21st century. What we have seen now is in fact a small rehearsal,” Grimsson told BBC News.
The concern the president has has a lot do with the highly active and potentially dangerous Hekla volcano. The last time it erupted was February 26, 2000 lasting until March 8th. Hekla was labeled the “Gateway to Hell” in the 1800’s.
Icelandic citizens may see a small bit of relief when the current high pressure weather system changes to a low pressure system. When that happens, the ash that continues to pour out of the volcano will be more likely to head north causing less problems, reported CNN.
Vulcanologist Simon Day of University College London commented on the length of the volcano’s eruption saying that it may not stop. The ash will most likely stay in the atmosphere, and the amount that is deposited in the air should lessen in frequency.
“So although the eruption may continue for a long time, and we may over the next few months see bursts of explosive activity, it’s probably not going to be as much of a problem as it has been during this last week,” Day told CNN.
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