The aviation industry has been warned about possible flight disruptions after the risk of eruption from Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano increased.
Iceland’s Met Office raised its risk level for an eruption to orange, the second highest level, meaning there is an “increased likelihood of eruption”.
It’s the first time since the warning code was adopted two years ago that an orange warning has been issued.
Bardarbunga is Iceland’s largest volcanic system and although there has been no eruption yet, there has been “intense seismic activity” over the past few days.
“As evidence of magma movement shallower than 10km (6.2 miles) implies increased potential of a volcanic eruption, the Bardarbunga aviation colour code has been changed to orange,” the Met Office said in a statement.
“Presently there are no signs of eruption, but it cannot be excluded that the current activity will result in an explosive sub-glacial eruption, leading to an outburst flood and ash emission. The situation is monitored closely.”
In 2010 much of Europe’s airspace was shut for six days, affecting more than 10 million people, after Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted.