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.

Local media reported smoke could be seen coming from the volcano and Iceland’s Meteorological Office confirmed that an eruption had begun.

Scientists are closely monitoring an Icelandic volcano as melted glacial ice pouring from its crater may trigger an eruption.

Dutch airline KLM said today it cancelled 59 flights leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Schiphol Airport because of a cloud of ash hanging above Europe.

A volcano erupted in a remote area of Iceland, setting off tremors across the area.