Europe travel warning as Iceland volcano could spark chaos 'for weeks on end'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A potential volcanic eruption in Iceland could spark travel chaos across Europe as experts warned of potential flight disruption across the continent.Iceland is bracing for an eruption from the Fagradalsfjall volcano, situated just 20 miles from Keflavik, the country's main airport.

Magma is rising to the surface as over 2,000 earthquakes have shaken the country,reports the Icelandic Government.Flights are still ongoing, but authorities say the volcano could erupt with just 30 minutes' notice.

In the event of an eruption, experts say travel across Europe could be disrupted for 'weeks on end'.Accuweather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter told Travel Weekly: "Volcanic ash, if ingested in sufficient quantities, can result in jet engine failure – a serious threat to planes. "As a result, during the 2010 eruption, as the ash cloud spread, civil aviation authorities in various countries shut down air travel, resulting in many travellers from Europe and beyond becoming stuck for weeks on end with no ability to fly."The volcano could erupt at short notice, says Vídir Reynisson, the head of the Civil Protection and Emergency Management agency.He told FOX News on Monday: "The challenge that we have is that we will not see any strong evidence that the magma is coming up, we will see some small earthquakes and we can see how they will probably form in one place rather than another."We will maybe get 30 minutes' notice before the eruption starts.

That is what we are working with."Experts also say an eruption could be imminent. Thorvaldur Thordarson, professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, told state broadcaster RUV: "I don’t think it’s long before an eruption, hours or a few days.