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Icelandic geologists: Volcano eruption to end soon

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Icelandic geologists predicted that volcanic eruption in the Eyjafjallajokull glacier would not last too long, it might end within hours or days, according to the local reports on Sunday.

Smoke and steam hangs over the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland, Wednesday April 14, 2010. [Xinhua]

The weather above the eruption site was fine for the first time on Saturday night. This made the scientists easy to observe the crater. They thought the eruption may end within hours or days, reported the Icelandic daily Visir.

Geologists pointed out that the Katla volcano which is located nearby may also erupt. Katla is one of the two liveliest volcanoes in Iceland. Since 1000 AD, Katla has been recorded to erupt 17 times and brought about heavy losses to the local residents, the report added.

Currently, the volcano plume reaches a height of six to nine kilometers drifting to the South with thunders and lightening. The flood caused by the eruption tends to be stable.

It is estimated that about 100 to 150 million cubic meters of glacier melted in the seat of the volcano, which is about ten percent of the total glacier in the area. The melted water stimulated more eruption in the crater.

In the affected areas, there are 160 people from 12 rescue groups to help farmers and monitor the situation. The local government and Icelandic Civil Protection Department organized a public information meeting for the local inhabitants to discuss the situation and the outlook for the coming days.

Icelandair has decided to arrange five flights to Trondheim in Northern Norway to accommodate the 1,800 passengers stuck in Iceland due to the volcano plume, the report said.

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