Experts are warning that an eruption could be imminent at an even more powerful Icelandic volcano than the one that paralysed air traffic last year.

European airspace could be back to normal tomorrow as ash from the Iceland volcano dissipates rapidly, air traffic control bosses said today.

Iceland closed its main international airport and cancelled domestic flights today as a powerful volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles into the air.

Iceland’s most active volcano has started erupting, scientists said – just over a year after another eruption on the North Atlantic island shut down European air traffic for days.

The Icelandic volcano that caused worldwide air travel chaos is settling down, scientists said today, but they warned it was not yet finished.