Fall in ash may be lull before storm

ICELANDIC scientists have described the latest quiet phase of the volcano, which has wreaked havoc on airlines, as a calm before the next expected storm of activity.

While the ash plume from Eyjafjallajökull has declined in the last few days and winds have been favourable, enabling Irish and European airlines to operate as normal, the picture could soon change, scientists have warned. The spread of rising ash dropped to under 5km in width this week for the first time.

Volcanic activity has also decreased to a large extent, but those monitoring the site say this “could be a calm phase before further eruptions”.