25 May 2013

Iceland moves to monitor volcanic activity earlier

5:30 pm on 25 May 2013

The monitoring of volcanoes in Iceland is to be improved to give earlier warning of possible eruptions.

Funded by the European Union, the project involves more sensors as well as better real-time data analysis.

It is a response to the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, which closed much of European airspace in 2010.

"Volcanoes actually scream 'I'm about to erupt'," Matthew Roberts of the Icelandic Meteorological Office told the BBC. "Before they erupt they show many measurable signs.''

As part of the project, new monitors will be installed across the most active regions of the country, including the Eyjafjallajokull site and one of the largest volcanoes, Katla.

Data will be fed in real time back to the Met Office in the capital, Reykjavik.