Airports close due to Iceland volcano ash

Ash from a volcano in Iceland has cleared the skies of aircraft across much of northern Europe, with planes grounded on a scale previously unseen.

The highly abrasive, microscopic particles that make up volcanic ash, pose a major threat to aircraft. They can affect visibility and cause damage to engines, causing them to shut down.

Britain's air traffic service halted all non-emergency flights until at least 7 a.m. Friday.

Smoke billows from an erupting volcano at the Eyjafjallajokull glacier near Reykjavik. (AFP/Icelandic Coast Guard)