The volcano erupting under South Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull glacier has opened a 2km long gorge and is already considered much bigger than the nearby Fimmvorduhals volcano which appears to have finally ended yesterday. Glacier water has already started flooding surrounding land and evacuation orders are in force.

Iceland’s main highway, Route 1, is being dug up south of the glacier in an attempt to save Markarfljots Bridge from the flood water.

Flood water is pouring off the glacier both to the north and the south, but both flows will enter the sea to the south.

Due to the evacuations, nobody is believed to be in danger and no towns or villages have been affected – although conditions can change rapidly.

Main page photo: Háskóli Íslands