Will the eruption in Iceland paralyze air traffic?

In 2010, the eruption in Iceland of a volcano with an unpronounceable name literally paralyzed air traffic. While a new eruption has been shaking the country for a few days, questions arise about it. Are our planes going to be grounded again?

Remember in April 2010, nearly 100,000 flights were canceled. In question, the eruption of an Icelandic volcano with an unpronounceable name, Eyjafjallajökull. The decision had been controversial. But a study had finally shown that it had been good. Researchers had confirmed that the ashes sent to the tunes by the eruption could have caused an air disaster. While another volcano comes fromerupt in the country – only about thirty kilometers from the largest airport in Iceland – one would think that once again, air traffic will have to be interrupted. Experts disagree.

According to them, the risk is almost nil, because, even if the pictures of the eruption which began a few days ago on the Reykjanes peninsula are spectacular, the explosive activity of the eruption remains very modest. It is about what the volcanologists call it a fissure eruption. With the main feature, an impressive lava flow. No one, moreover, has reported an ash cloud – those clouds that could threaten the air traffic.

No risk for our planes

Finally, this new eruption is very similar to the one that had already shaken Iceland in 2021. An eruption then started from a crack on the side of the Fagradalsfjall – understand the “beautiful valley mountain”. In the same region. But without paralyzing air traffic.

If no difficulty therefore seems to be feared on this side, the authorities remind tourists – and residents – to however keep their distance from the eruption. Because even in the absence of ash cloudof the gas toxins can be emitted in the vicinity of the site.

Authorities also stress that the eruption does not threaten any populated areas or critical infrastructure.