The volcano on the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in southern Iceland began erupting just after midnight on April 15.
Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported that a 500m fissure appeared at the top of the crater today.
Lava melted the glacier, causing major flooding which forced the evacuation of between 700 and 800 people from their homes in the remote, lightly populated area 125km east of ReykjavÃk.
Apparently, from the intensity of this eruption, it could last a long time according to Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a professor of geophysics and civil protection advisor in Iceland.
Last month, the first eruption at the Eyjafjallajokull glacier since 1823 briefly forced 600 people from their homes in the same area.
Icelandic airports today remain open as wind blows ash away from the island. However, airports in Ireland, the UK and Norway are all closed this afternoon due to the danger the ash cloud poses to aircraft. Partial airport closures are underway in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The extent of the Iceland Volcano Ash Cloud:
How it will affect night sky observations in affected countries will be interesting to monitor.
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Eyjafjallajokull Videos:
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