Iceland volcano ash cloud lower, eruption steady

The Icelandic volcano which has caused air traffic chaos in Europe is erupting steadily, but with less ash than before.

The volcano has created powerful new tremors, but scientists say the ash plume rising above its crater has reduced to two kilometers from last week's eleven kilometers. They say ash production has fallen sharply and the nature of the eruption appears to be changing.

Fewer explosions would mean less of the menacing ash drifting to the European continent and choking the upper atmosphere with tiny particles of glass and pulverized rock. That led authorities to shut their airspace over safety fears for almost a week.