Iceland evacuates area near Bardarbunga volcano

(BBC) Iceland's authorities have evacuated an area close to the country's Bardarbunga volcano over fears it could erupt.

The area, which is more than 300km (190 miles) from the capital Reykjavik, has no permanent residents but sits within a national park popular with tourists.

The move came as geologists said about 300 earthquakes had been detected in the area since midnight on Tuesday.

Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted in 2010, producing an ash cloud that severely disrupted air travel.

The national civil protection agency said the decision to evacuate more than 300 people close to Bardarbunga was a "precautionary" safety measure.

"It cannot be ruled out that the seismic activity in Bardarbunga could lead to a volcanic eruption," it added.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28870969


-- BBC 2014-08-21

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