Volcanic activity increases gradually in Iceland

STOCKHOLM, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The volcanic activity in south Iceland is increasing slowly, according to reports reaching here from Reykjavik on Monday.

The Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupts in southern Iceland early March 21, 2010. The  volcano erupted overnight, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate the area and  diverting flights after authorities declared a local state of emergency, officials said on Sunday. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Scientists who flew over the eruption zone Eyjafjallajokull on Monday afternoon local time estimated that the lava flow from the crater is spreading out over a larger area and the eruption is becoming more forceful, said the Icelandic electronic newspaper Iceland Review.

The Icelandic Coast Guard flew with the team of scientists over Eyjafjallajokull and the Fimmvorduhals mountain pass, it said.

"Visibility was limited to begin with but then the weather cleared up and the scientists could see the eruption clearly. The lava is flowing down a canyon south of the craters on the pass and clouds of steam rise up from where the lava melts ice and snow," the report said.

Seismologist Kristin Waagfjord, who was onboard the plane, said while the eruption was still small, disturbances are growing and there is nothing to indicate that the volcanic activity is declining.