The police at Hvolsvöllur report that a great many fire engines and firemen are presently cleaning the houses in the ash fall zone. The police say that the volcanic activity is now moderate in the crater. There have been no reports of ash fall, but there is ash haze west of the volcano, i.e. in Fljótshlíd and Hvolsvöllur.
The ash haze on April 17. Photo by Bjarni Brynjólfsson.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the water level of Markarfljót river has risen during the night, which is in concordance with the seismic activity recorded, as stated on the website of the Department of Civil Protection.
It was difficult to keep track of the volcanic activity yesterday because of the haze. The radars showed no signs of ash, yet it is still falling.
At 7.30 this morning, the cloud had changed as it had begun to spread vertically rather than horizontally, according to specialist from the Meteorological Office, probably because of the northwesterly wind, but maybe also because of slight caldera subsidence during the night, at about 3 am.
Some ash fall is expected in the northwest of the volcano and in its vicinity, but ash haze (i.e. a view dimmed by the ash) could reach further west. No ash fall is expected in the Reykjavík area.
The Environment Agency analyzes the air quality in the country and keeps a close track of all measurements. News releases will be issued if the instruments show a dangerous level of air pollution and if safety measures are called for.
The citizens are encouraged to keep track of the news and instructions on the websites of the Civil Protection, www.almannavarnir.is and the Environment Agency, www.ust.is.
The Environment Agency installed an air pollution meter at Kirkjubæjarklaustur soon after the eruption broke out in Eyjafjallajökull, but no ash has appeared there.
According to the agency, the micro-dust was below danger level, but the highest values recorded could be compared to a heavy traffic day in Reykjavík.
The air pollution meter has been transferred to Vík. There are about 80 kilometers from the volcano to Kirkjubaejarklaustur. The same distance west of the volcano takes us to Laugarvatn or to the west of Selfoss.
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management surveys the eruption at Eyjafjallajökull, and regular briefings are held with the numerous institutes and companies involved.
For security reasons, the Coast Guard plane, TF-SIF, and the helicopter TF-GNA were transferred to Akureyri in the light of the ash fall forecast for the day.
TF-SIF flew over the eruption site this morning on its way to Akureyri, and the radar pictures have been sent to the Meteorological Office and to the Earth Science Institute for information.
Now, for the volcanic eruption and its consequences in pictures, look at these amazing photographs published in the Boston Globe.
And for those of you keen on learning how to pronounce the name of the glacier-turned-volcano, the infamous Eyjafjallajökull, check out this pronunciation guide on Al Jazeera and an explanation and song about the volcano provided by Icelandic musician Elíza Geirsdóttir Newman.
Our special offer for the Iceland Review magazine with eruption photos and coverage.
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