Eruption of Icelands Grímsfjall volcano: Ash cloud could hit UK

Ash cloud confirmed from Grímsfjall volcano

[Update 23-5-11] UK airports could be affected this week by the ash cloud from Iceland’s Grímsfjall volcano

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/may/23/iceland-volcano-ash-uk-tuesday

The Grauniad is reporting that :

“Airlines and airports have been warned to expect ash from an erupting Icelandic volcano to arrive in UK airspace by Tuesday, with the possibility that it could affect Heathrow airport by the end of the week.Europe‘s air traffic control organisation, Eurocontrol, told airlines and airports on Monday that particles from the Grimsvötn volcano could reach Scotland by 1am on Tuesday and southern England by Thursday or Friday, depending on wind direction.An aviation industry source said if the volcano continues to erupt at same intensity ash cloud could reach the west of the UK on Thursday or Friday, but the Met Office has low confidence in the forecast because of a prevailing low pressure system.However, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it was confident that a new Europe-wide safety regime introduced after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption last year would reduce disruption significantly and avoid the continental shutdown that stranded millions.

Under previous guidelines, aeroplanes were summarily grounded if there was any volcanic ash in the air. Now, airlines can fly through ash plumes if they have a safety case demonstrating that their fleets can handle medium or high-level densities of ash.”

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Jón Frímann

A eruption ash cloud has been confirmed from Grímsfjall volcano. I do not know how high it currently is. But Icelandic news is reporting that the cloud is rising fast and high (estimated 3000 – 4000 meters and rising). Explosions have been seen from good distance.

Update 1: They estimate that there are 10 to 12 hours until the glacier flood appears from this eruption. The ash cloud can be tracked with lighting map here.

News about this.

Strókur rís hátt yfir Grímsvötnum (Rúv.is, picture)
Tíu til tólf klukkutímar í hlaup (Rúv.is, new picture)
Allir viðbragðsaðilar komnir af stað vegna gossins (Vísir.is, Picture)
Mjög öflug gosstöð (mbl.is, New picture)

H/T Gray Stevens who also links: http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/