Could another Icelandic volcano erupt soon?

[Still Waters]

As scientists and air travellers alike keep a close eye on Iceland's ongoing volcanic eruption, some reports suggest that another, much bigger, volcano could stir in the near future.

Katla is Eyjafjallajokull's more active neighbour, and scientists believe that there may be a link between the two volcanoes.

This link has not been physically proven, explains Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson a geophysicist from the University of Iceland. A circumstantial, historical connection "is putting people's eyes on Katla," he says.

"We know of four Eyjafjallajokull eruptions in the past [dating back to AD 500] and in three out of these four cases, there has been a Katla eruption either at the same time or shortly after.

"By shortly, I mean timescales of months to a year.

"We consider that the probability of Katla erupting in the near future has increased since Eyjafjallajokull went."

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[timewaver]

There has been magma build-up on Katla of late. It seems from the following that it's only a matter of time. However, its last eruption in 1918 didn't amount to much. Let's hope for the best! But Mr Grim is pretty grim about the future!!!

Iceland president tells Europe to

get ready for Katla

Eyjafjallajoekull only a "small rehearsal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8631343.stm

(Short Video) - The eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano, and the travel chaos it has caused, is only a "small rehearsal," according to Iceland's President Olafur Grimsson.

"The larger Katla volcano, right next to it, usually erupts every century, and the last eruption was in 1918. The time for Katla to erupt is coming close."

"I don't say if, but I say when Katla will erupt," Grimsson says. "We have been waiting for that eruption for several years."

"It can create, for a long period, extraordinary damage to modern advanced society."

timewaver