The Civil Protection Department of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic police has decided to close the road from Vík to Freysnes (Skaftafell). The visibility in the area is extremely poor, only four meters.
Ash fall has been reported all the way from the Reykjavík area in the southwest to Tröllaskagi peninsula in the north, a press release says.
These pictures were sent by Helga Jónsdóttir from Thykkvibaer in Landbrot, which she took after the ash fall near Kirkjubaejarklaustur. She said the tiny tracks had caught her attention—the insects are also fighting the forces of nature.
According to information from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, northerly winds are expected to blow across the country with a speed of 10-18 meters per second. The windiest conditions are forecast for the east coast.
There will be snowfall or sleet in the northeastern and eastern part of the country but otherwise no precipitation. Considerable ash fall is to be expected widely in the southeast and east throughout the day.
The ash cloud seen from Reykjavík. Photos Iurie Belegurschi.
All domestic flights have been canceled this morning and until the afternoon—the situation will be reassessed at 5 pm. International flights were also canceled this morning but may resume in the afternoon (click here for further information), mbl.is reports.
According to Fréttabladid, it is being estimated whether the airport in Akureyri, north Iceland, can open for international flights, while Morgunbladid reports the airport in Egilsstadir might serve that purpose. Meteorologists say the ash will probably not be carried on to the European mainland.
Testing of the first ash samples has shown that it doesn’t include high quantities of toxic chemicals, such as fluorine. However, the ash particles are glassy and can irritate the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, digestive system and the eyes of animals.
It is important to spare livestock from ash fall and keep them inside or move them away from ash fall areas if possible. It must be made sure that if animals are kept outside that they have access to clean drinking water and are given quality feed regularly.
Inhabitants and visitors in the ash fall areas are asked to familiarize themselves with these guidelines on the reaction to ash fall.
Please note: The next issue of the print edition of Iceland Review will include extensive coverage of the eruption. If you subscribe now, you will receive a photo book by IR editor/photographer Páll Stefánsson of the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull as a gift.
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