Volcano eruption may melt glacier

Scientists have finally been able to take samples from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano, near the glacier of the same name.

The volcano has erupted once and there are fears more eruptions could cause large-scale flooding as the glacier melts.

On Saturday the volcano started to spew smoke and lava from several craters and along a rift which is popular with hikers. It also sent steam 4 kilometers up in the air.

On Sunday, rescue teams evacuated 500 people in the area and police declared a local state of emergency. No injuries or damage to property were reported.

Iceland sits on a volcanic hotspot in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and has relatively frequent eruptions. The last one took place in 2004.

Scientists have finally been able to take samples from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano, near the glacier of the same name.