An Iceland volcano erupts with little warning in the early morning hours of March 21, 2010. The volcano erupted next to the Eyjafallajoekull glacier and had been dormant since 1821. The eruption has caused over 500 residents of the area to flee their homes and there are concerns as to how the eruption will affect weather patterns.
Iceland Map
Roads have been closed in the area of the Eyjafallajoekull glacier, the fifth largest in Iceland, as authorities warn of severe danger in traveling anywhere near the area of the volcanic activity. The volcano has been continuously spewing ash and molten lava. The molten lava and heat from the volcano is causes the glacier to melt which is flooding the area.
There is also a great deal of concern that an 800-yard fissure caused by the eruption could get larger and closer to the Myrdalsjokull glacier which is on top of the Katla volcano. Historically, when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupts, the Katla volcano erupts soon after. That event would be catastrophic.