Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajoekull whose eruption froze flights around Europe has somewhat calmed down but could trigger another more powerful volcano, an Icelandic expert said Monday.
The eruption on the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier in Iceland, which began on Wednesday, has paralyzed air traffic throughout central and northern Europe, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and forcing more than 20 European countries to close their airspace.
Icelandic volcanologist Niels Oskarsson confirmed British meteorologists' reports that the volcano was now only expelling ash to heights not exceeding 200 meters.
"The eruption has changed mode. It has now melted its pathway through the glacier - and is changing into the formation of a cinder cone within the otherwise ice-filled caldera," Oskarsson told RIA Novosti.
He warned, however, that there could be worse to come from the neighboring Katla volcano.
"Last time, in the 19th and 17th centuries, Katla eruptions started after Eyjafjoll eruptions - they were at least 100 times larger," the expert said.
Asked what the consequences could be, Oskarsson said: "Damaged roads and bridges; international flights will be canceled. That is positive I think - people travel too much."
Meanwhile, a Russian volcanologist, Artur Saltykovsky, told RIA Novosti that the Eyjafjallajokull ash could make a full circle around the globe.
"It cannot be ruled out that [the volcanic ash] could travel beyond the Pacific, reach America and could close [the circle] near Iceland," he said, also voicing fears that Katla could be triggered.
Air traffic in Europe is likely to begin returning to normal from Tuesday, although it is expected to be a lengthy process.
MOSCOW, April 19 (RIA Novosti)
