Iceland volcano could result in mass disruption: Experts

Iceland, Dec 3(ANI): A huge Icelandic volcano, which has been dormant for long, is showing signs of activity that might lead to mass disruption, experts have warned.

Delft University's volcano expert Andy Hooper said it is difficult to predict if and when Katla volcano would erupt but added that the eruption would have 'major' consequences.

"Because of the glacier on top, massive amounts of ice would melt, washing away the roads. There could also be a big ash fallout on people living in the area and that will affect the farms. There could be big implications for people there," Sky News quoted Hooper, as saying.

"In terms of the rest of the world, it really depends on the weather at the time of the eruption.If Katla erupts, it will erupt higher (than recent volcanoes) and that means the ash will stay around longer - that could impact on air traffic," it added.

The warning comes in the wake of over 500 tremors occurring at Katla in the south of the country in November.

The volcano erupted last in 1918, and caused large glacier meltdown that icebergs were swept into the ocean by the resulting.

An increasing temperatures and seismic activity at the site, which triggered floods in July, has stoked the concerns of disruption.

Experts fear that a major flooding could occur due to melting of the frozen surface of the volcano, sending vast amounts of water into the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Iceland's Met Office statement, though there was no imminent threat but "given the heightened levels of seismic activity, the situation might change abruptly".

"Monitoring teams at the Icelandic Met Office are following the ongoing activity closely, and sensor-based networks around the volcano ensure that all seismological, geodetic, and hydrological changes are detected," it added.(ANI)