Posts Tagged ‘South Iceland’
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
Members of Iceland’s tourism industry say that the spate of cancellations and slow bookings being caused by the volcano could yet be a blessing in disguise if Iceland plays its cards right and keeps the world updated on what is really happening on the ground.
Fridrik Palsson is the owner of a chain of hotels, including Hotel Ranga near the South Iceland volcano. He told RUV’s Kastljos current affairs programme that this summer need not be a disaster for the industry if Iceland cleverly uses the immeasurable amount of free advertising the volcano has brought for the country.
Palsson welcomed the government’s investment of ISK 350 million (USD 2.7 million) for a global publicity campaign aimed at saving the important tourist sector this summer. But he said the amount is not much and will have to be used carefully: primarily to keep the world updated of the pure truth of what Iceland is like after the current media frenzy abates. He believes Twitter and Facebook could prove even more important than billboards and broadsheets.
Palsson points out that “Iceland covered in ash” and “Disaster strikes terror in Iceland” make much better global headlines than “Eruption stops” or “Roads open and farmland saved in Iceland”. It is therefore, he said, highly important for Iceland to take up where the global press leaves off.
Many countries would pay handsomely to receive as much global attention as Iceland is now and Palsson believes people will still visit in large numbers as long as they are in possession of the facts. Nobody has died, all the shops and schools are still open, life is normal away from the unfortunate South Iceland farms; and above all, travel chaos in Iceland has been no worse than everywhere else in Europe. There is no way of knowing which volcano will erupt next; but everyone’s safety will still be top priority whenever it does.
In the meantime, viewing brand new lava or an active volcano is just one more great thing to do during a trip to Iceland, Fridrik Palsson happily points out.
Photographer: Anders Peter Amsnæs / www.imagix.dk
Tags: Blessing In Disguise, Free Advertising, Global Attention, Global Headlines, Global Press, Global Publicity, Iceland Volcano, Isk, Media Frenzy, Palsson, Pragmatic View, Publicity Campaign, Ranga, South Iceland, Spate, Top Priority, Tourism Industry, Tourist Industry, Tourist Sector, Travel Chaos
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Volcanic activity at South Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano and the production of ash have been steady over the last few days and the lava stream continues to flow to the north. Geologists and meteorologists say that although activity is much lower now than at the peak, there is no sign the eruption is coming to an end.
The TF-SIF coastguard plane flew over the volcano yesterday but the lava was not visible through the cloud. Radar showed, however that the vent is some 200 metres wide and 150 metres tall, Visir.is reports.
No activity has been recorded near the Katla volcano.
The airlines Icelandair and Iceland Express have made changes to their schedules today due to the recent closure of Keflavik International Airport and due to a possible re-closure of the airport later today.
Iceland Express has moved its 07.00 flights to Copenhagen and London to 05.30 this morning.
Icelandair has moved its 17.10 Orlando flight to 09.00 and its 12.00 Glasgow flight will also depart Keflavik at 09.00.
All other flight schedules remain unchanged as Keflavik airspace may well remain open as normal.
Passengers are requested to regularly check their airline’s website: www.icelandair.com and www.icelandexpress.com as timetables may change at short notice. Also www.kefairport.com.
Tags: Air Travel, Airspace, Cloud Radar, Flight Schedules, Flights To Copenhagen, Geologists, Iceland Air, Icelandair, Icelandexpress, Katla Volcano, Lava Stream, Meteorologists, Orlando Flight, South Iceland, Timetables, Travel Update, Vent, Visir, Volcanic Activity, Website Www
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Click on the picture to watch an audio slideshow of the volcanic eruption in EyjafjallajA kull glacier, south Iceland.
Tags: Glacier, Kull, Slideshow, South Iceland, Volcanic Eruption
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Monday, April 26th, 2010
Although the force of the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull glacier in south Iceland is only part of what it was when the eruption was at its height, there are no indications that the eruption is coming to an end. The volcanic unrest is similar to what it was in the past days.
Tags: Glacier, Nbsp, South Iceland, Volcanic Eruption, Volcanic Unrest
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Sunday, April 25th, 2010
The volcanic ash cloud is still keeping Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport closed and domestic flights from Reykjavik are also cancelled again today.
According to a UK Met Office ash map from 06.00 this morning, Keflavik and Reykjavik remain in an area where flying on instruments is prohibited. Akureyri and Egilsstadir are in an area where permission to fly is given on a case-by-case basis. It is still not known whether or not Egilsstadir Airport will have to close too later today.
Scientists confirmed big changes to the eruption when they flew over Eyjafjallajokull yesterday. Lava has begun to flow from the crater and down the Gigjokull glacial tongue. The risk of further flooding due to the lava melting glacier ice is still minimal, RUV reports.
The volcanic ash cloud lay over South and Southwest Iceland yesterday and is being carried directly west from the glacier today. Rain is significantly reducing the range of the ash and the risk of it reaching Reykjavik or the Northwest today is very small.
Police in Hvolsvollur are expecting hundreds of people to descend on South Iceland today as volunteers to help the continuing clean up operation on farms south of the volcano. Search and Rescue teams, 4×4 enthusiasts and people answering a Facebook appeal are among the volunteers.
Photographer: Anders Peter Amsnæs / www.imagix.dk
Tags: Case Basis, Domestic Flights, Enthusiasts, Glacier Ice, Imagix, Keflavik, Lava, Northwest, Photographer, Reykjavik, Ruv, Scientists, Search And Rescue, South Iceland, Southwest Iceland, Tongue, Uk Met Office, Volcanic Ash Cloud, Volcano, Volunteers
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Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Everyone in Europe knows about the volcanic ash that has been postponing flights for days. The damage is not only in the air because ash has fallen on farms in south Iceland. This can damage fields of grass, but first indications seem to be that the damage is limited. The ash has however caused discomfort in animals and even people.
Tags: Animals, Europe, Fields Of Grass, Flights, Iceland Volcano, South Iceland, Volcanic Ash
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Friday, April 23rd, 2010
The power of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption has remained stable for at least the last two days according to emergency co-ordinators in South Iceland. The volcanic cloud has swung round to the northwest of the glacier today, but there is little ash fall. The cloud has become lighter in colour, indicating more steam and less ash.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office predicts slowly increasing south-easterly winds today blowing the cloud north and west. A small amount of ash could potentially affect Reykjavik, and reduce driving visibility – but that has not happened yet. There is some ash fall on Fljotshlid and will continue to the northwest of the glacier.
Police in Hvolsvollur are reminding the public that all non-emergency foot and car traffic is banned near the volcano: all over Eyjafjallajokull and its foothills, Fimmvorduhals and Myrdalsjokull. The Route 1 highway is open, however.
Meanwhile, with ash closing Keflavik International Airport, there has been a massive increase in passengers using Akureyri Airport, RUV reports. Icelandair and Iceland Express have both been using Akureyri today in order to avoid cancelling flights outright.
Iceland Express flight to Berlin and Copenhagen today have been merged into one flight from Akureyri which will stop in both destinations. Passengers are being taken by coach between Reykjavik and Akureyri.
Icelandair is using Akureyri as its Iceland hub today; but passengers whose final destination is not Icelland are being taken through Glasgow instead of Keflavik.
The Reykjavik domestic airport has now reopened and flights within Iceland are not as delayed as had been feared.
www.icelandair.com
www.icelandexpress.com
www.kefairport.com
www.airiceland.is
Photo: Kristjan Mar Hauksson taken at Akureyri Airport
Tags: Airiceland, Ash Fall, Car Traffic, Copenhagen, Fimmvorduhals, Final Destination, Glasgow, Hub, Iceland Volcano, Icelandair, Icelandic Meteorological Office, Kristjan, Little Ash, Massive Increase, Reykjavik, Route 1, South Iceland, Steam, Visibility, Volcanic Cloud
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
The farmer Ólafur Eggertsson at Thorvaldseyri, whose farm is located at the base of Eyjafjallajökull glacier, has decided not to continue with grain and dairy farming next summer because of the damage ash and flooding has caused to his pastures.
Tags: Ash, Break, Dairy Farming, Glacier, South Iceland
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
It was another ‘gentle’ night at the volcano under Eyjafjallajokull in South Iceland, according to nearby emergency services. A small increase in the flow of the Markarfljott river at around 01.00 brought some ice down from the glacier, but the river returned to normal by this morning.
Meteorologists are predicting that ash fall today will mostly stay on the glacier and in the area to the west of it.
Scientists flew over the volcano again yesterday and confirmed that the eruption appeared to have calmed down since the day before. Only one of the three craters is still active and there is no flowing lava.
Ash fall in the coming days is expected to swing to the north and nortwest side of the glacier. It is possible that a small amount of ash will reach Reykjavik on Friday and Saturday; but health officials are not expecting any danger.
In celebration of the official first day of summer, an open house and party is being held for the public at the Heimaland guesthouse and tourist centre – as happens every year. The danger to Heimaland is considered minimal, but Red Cross volunteers are still on hand for the party between 11.00 and 17.00, all are welcome.
Photographer: Anders Peter Amsnæs / www.imagix.dk
Tags: Ash Fall, Celebration, Craters, Dk, Emergency Services, First Day Of Summer, Glacier, Guesthouse, Health Officials, Imagix, Lava Ash, Meteorologists, Open House, Photographer, Red Cross Volunteers, Reykjavik, Scientists, South Iceland, Tourist Centre, Volcano
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Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Ólafur Arnalds, a professor at the Agricultural University of Iceland, said the ash fall situation in the countryside south of the eruption site in Eyjafjallajökull glacier is not as bad as originally assumed.
Tags: Agricultural University, Ash Fall, Countryside, Glacier, South Iceland, University Of Iceland
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Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Activity at South Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano last night is described as ‘gentle’ and the current force of the eruption is barely 20 percent of its peak. All indications suggest that the volcano is only now erupting from one of its three craters.
Visir.is reports that some ash has still been falling near the glacier, but that it is in vastly reduced quantities. Earth scientists are careful not to call the end of the eruption too early, however – and all are currently saying it could intensify again.
Photographer: Anders Peter Amsnæs / www.imagix.dk
Tags: Ash, Craters, Dk, Earth Scientists, Glacier, Imagix, Photographer, Quantities, South Iceland, Volcano
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
The volcanic eruption in the glacier Eyjafjallajokull in South Iceland is continuing but at the moment with somewhat less force than before. The behaviour of the eruption has changed as the amount of ash has reduced substantially.
Tags: Ash, Glacier, South Iceland, Volcanic Eruption
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
The skies cleared in the area below the Eyjafjöll mountain range around 3 pm today after significant ash fall, extremely poor visibility and almost constant darkness since late last week.
Tags: Ash Fall, Darkness, Poor Visibility, South Iceland
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
The amount of ash falling around the South Iceland Eyjafjallajokull glacier has reduced according to meteorologists – but that does not mean the eruption is coming to an end.
According to meteorologist Halldor Bjornsson, it is not possible to say the reduced ash fall means the eruption is winding down; but farmers are welcoming the development nevertheless. At its peak, 750 tonnes of ash were spewing out of the volcano every second. The eruption has been upgraded from small to medium in size.
According to journalist aviator Omar Ragnarsson, who flew over the volcano this morning, the intensity of the eruption does seem to have reduced noticeably from yesterday. Ash is being thrown up to a height of 15 to 16,000 feet, which is much lower than previously.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office is predicting ash fall to continue all around the edges of the glacier today. Southerly winds will bring rain later in the day and as it swings to the west, ash falls can be expected east of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. Tomorrow the northerly wind is expected to return, blowing ash to the south, RUV reports.
Tags: Ash Fall, Aviator, Farmers, Glacier, Iceland Volcano, Icelandic Meteorological Office, Intensity, Journalist, Northerly Wind, Rain, South Iceland, Tonnes, Volcano Ash, West Ash
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
It can prove very difficult to reap a harvest at the farms where the ash layer from the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull is more than ten centimeters thick. It could even mean the end to farming at some of the farms in the area.
Tags: Ash Fall, Centimeters, Farmers, Farming, Serious Trouble, South Iceland, Volcanic Eruption
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
Farmers in South Iceland are not letting the thick layer of ash coating their land disturb them unduly.
Farmers near the Eyjafjallajokull volcano are keeping their animals indoors and making sure they have a constant supply of clean food and water. They are hoping for a quick end to the ash fall, followed by heavy rains and strong springtime grass growth.
This is not the first time that farms below the glacier have fallen victim to volcanic ash – the last time was when Hekla erupted in 1947.
The farm Hlid, in the shadow of Steinfjall, has been badly affected by the ash blanket over the last days, but farmer Simon Sigurgeirsson told RUV he will continue his job undaunted. The same story is being repeated on farms across the region.
Photo: Kindur.is
Tags: Animals, Ash Fall, Face, Farmers, Glacier, Grass Growth, Grim Determination, Heavy Rains, Job, Last Days, Last Time, Photo, South Iceland, Springtime, Thick Layer, Volcanic Ash, Volcano
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
Glowing lava ‘bombs’ the size of SUVs are being thrown up from the South Iceland Eyjafjallajokull volcano. However, ash fall is expected to reduce, liquid lava is not flowing and the risk of further flooding is considered minimal at the moment.
Scientists flew over the volcano yesterday and the University of Iceland’s Bjorn Oddsson told reporters that tephra is collecting on the glacier ice and insulating it, resulting in a less explosive eruption. Less dangerous ash is being produced in the gas cloud, but so-called lava bombs are being produced and fired off at high speed. “There is no flowing lava, but that could come with increased volcanic activity,” Oddsson told RUV. A flow of lava would likely mean much lower levels of ash falling to the ground in the surrounding area; but Oddsson said there is already a hugh amount of ash on the glacier which is just blowing around with the wind.
Oddsson said it is not possible to predict when the falling ash will ease off but that the relative stability of the eruption at the moment means floods are unlikely.
Television journalist and keen amateur aviator, Omar Ragnarsson, flew over the volcano and released this video.
Photo: RÚV
Tags: Ash Fall, Aviator, Bjorn, Bombs, Explosive Eruption, Floods, Gas Cloud, Glacier Ice, High Speed, Jeeps, Lava, Relative Stability, Scientists, South Iceland, Television Journalist, Tephra, University Of Iceland, Video Photo, Volcanic Activity, Volcano
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Monday, April 19th, 2010
There are indications that water has stopped entering the volcanic crater on Eyjafjallajökull glacier in south Iceland anymore and lava has begun to spurt. This might reduce the formation of ash and ash fall.
Tags: Ash Fall, Glacier, Iceland Eruption, Lava, South Iceland, Spurt, Volcanic Crater
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Monday, April 19th, 2010
Farmers in south Iceland whose farms are located below the Eyjafjöll mountain range and who have been subject to extensive ash fall since the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull began last week are exhausted.
Tags: Ash Fall, Farmers, South Iceland
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