Grimsvotn volcano erupts
The Grimsvotn volcano, which lies under the uninhabited Vatnajokull glacier about 120 miles (200 kilometers) east of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland began erupting Saturday for the first time since 2004.
Section:Picture story
In this photo taken on Saturday, May 21, 2011, smoke plumes from the Grimsvotn volcano, which lies under the Vatnajokull glacier, about 120 miles, (200 kilometers) east of the capital, Rejkjavik, which began erupting Saturday for the first time since 2004. Iceland closed its main international airport and canceled domestic flights Sunday as a powerful volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles (20 kilometers) into the air.
Jon Gustafsson Associated Press
In this photo taken on Saturday, May 21, 2011, smoke plumes from the Grimsvotn volcano, which lies under the Vatnajokull glacier, about 120 miles, (200 kilometers) east of the capital, Rejkjavik, which began erupting Saturday for the first time since 2004.
Jon Gustafsson Associated Press
Iceland closed its main international airport and canceled all domestic flights Sunday as a powerful volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles (20 kilometers) into the air. Grimsvotn also exploded in 1998, 1996 and 1993, eruptions that lasted between a day and several weeks.
Associated Press
This satellite image provided by NASA and acquired Sunday May 22, 2011 shows the plume of dense ash from the Grimsvotn volcano as it casts a shadow to the west. The plume from the volcano was bearing down on Scotland and set to disrupt flights there as early as Monday night, May 23, 2011, Britain’s Met Office said.
NASA Associated Press
This satellite image of Monday May 23, 2011 from the Satellite Receiving Station, University of Dundee which was released by the University of Dundee, Scotland Tuesday May 24, 2011 shows the ash cloud, top left brown/beige area, from Iceland and a storm weather system buffeting the United Kingdom. The ash plume from Iceland’s Grimsvotn volcano is visible drifting southwards over the Atlantic Ocean. At the time this image was acquired the low pressure system which has brought high winds and heavy rain to many areas of the British Isles was centered off northwest Scotland.
University of Dundee, HO Associated Press
A plane is seen against a sunset over Kensington Palace in London, Monday, May, 23, 2011. A dense cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano was being blown toward Scotland Monday, forcing two airlines to cancel their flights, U.S. President Barack Obama to cut short his visit to Ireland and carriers across Europe to fear a repeat of the huge disruptions that stranded millions of passengers a year ago.
Alastair Grant Associated Press
The eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano was far larger than one a year ago at another Icelandic volcano that upended travel plans for 10 million people around the world, but scientists said it was unlikely to have the same widespread effect.
Associated Press
A rescue team is seen near to Kirkjubaearklaustur, approx. 260 km from Reykjavik, Iceland, Monday, May 23, 2011.
Brynjar Gauti Associated Press
A member of a rescue team checks on a farmer near to Kirkjubaearklaustur, approx. 260 km from Reykjavik, Iceland, Monday, May 23, 2011.
Brynjar Gauti Associated Press
Sparsely populated Iceland is one of the world's most volcanically active countries and eruptions are frequent. Grimsvotn and Iceland's other major volcanoes lie on the Atlantic Rift, the meeting of the Euro and American continental plates.
Associated Press
A horse’s eyes water amid clouds of ash near Kirkjubaearklaustur 260 km (162 miles) from Reykjavík, Iceland Tuesday May 24 2011 after the Grimsvotn volcano began erupting on Saturday, sending clouds of ash high into the air that have then been carried toward the European continent on the wind.
Brynjar Gauti Associated Press
A rescue team drives on a highway near Kirkjubaearklaustur 260 km (162 miles) from Reykjavík, Iceland Tuesday May 24 2011 after the Grimsvotn volcano began erupting on Saturday.
Brynjar Gauti Associated Press
Rescue workers talk to a farmer near Kirkjubaearklaustur 260 km (162 miles) from Reykjavík, Iceland Tuesday May 24 2011 after the Grimsvotn volcano began erupting on Saturday.
Brynjar Gauti Associated Press
A dead lamb lies covered in ash near Kirkjubaearklaustur 260 km (162 miles) from Reykjavík, Iceland Tuesday May 24 2011 after the Grimsvotn volcano began erupting on Saturday.
Brynjar Gauti Associated Press
Britain's weather service said the ash from Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano had moved over parts of Scotland, prompting air regulators to warn airlines that they had to seek permission to fly to and from the area. Hundreds of flights were canceled in Britain and Ireland.
Associated Press
Passengers rest on the floor as their flights have been canceled at Edinburgh Airport in Edinburgh, Scotland Tuesday, May 24, 2011. A dense ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano blew toward Scotland, causing airlines to cancel Tuesday flights and raising fears of a repeat of last year’s huge travel disruptions in Europe that stranded millions of passengers.
Scott Heppell Associated Press
A passenger sleeps with her head on her knees on the floor as flights were canceled at Edinburgh Airport in Edinburgh, Scotland Tuesday, May 24, 2011.
Scott Heppell Associated Press