Iceland’s Largest Katla Volcano May Erupt; Massive Tremors Felt

Volcanic steam rises from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano in April 2010. (Photo: Reuters)

After the massive earthquake in Italy, Iceland has raised alarm as its largest volcano was hit by powerful tremors for the first time since 1977.

Two earthquakes measuring over 4 on the Richter scale rocked the crater of Katla on Monday, according to a report in The Independent.

Ten more tremors were reportedly felt after the initial two jolts at the volcano rising 4,757 feet into the air. No casualties or damage to property has been reported so far.

The last two eruptions happened in 1955 and 1999 but they were not large enough to break the ice covering the 10 km wide caldera of the volcano.

The last major eruption was nearly 100 years ago in 1918 when it spewed ash for five continuous weeks.

In 2010, an eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused 1 lakh flights to get cancelled all over Europe, over concerns that gas-like particles and ash from the lava might melt in aircraft engines and clog turbines.

Source: The Independent