The eruption of Iceland’s Grimsvotn has left holiday makers across Europe experience delays or cancelled flights. It has spread fears that we could see a repeat of last year’s ash cloud that caused chaos all over Europe. However, it has done more than disrupt air travel.
Thora Arnorsdottir, a senior reporter from the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service went to visit the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur which has been covered in ash and is totally shut out of daylight. All the buildings and vehicles are covered in dust. Arnorsdottir explains that “At the end of May during normal circumstances, the town is usually bright for at least 20 hours a day but at the moment people could mistake it for winter.”
Cars are still working and running around the small town despite the thick ash covering them. People must obviously drive more carefully, avoid turning the air conditioning on and remember to change the filters frequently.
Unnar Steinn, who owns the only store in town, is still open for business as usual. He states that “People are just staying at home and they have to get food from somewhere.”
No one has the courage to leave the house without wearing a protective mask or eye goggles.
Arnorsdottir said “It’s hard to breathe. It’s physically impossible to stay outside more than a couple of minutes at the time. You cry constantly as the eyes try to fight the ash.”
One resident said “At least it’s the 21st Century where we can at least flee into a concrete building and catch our breath.”
Despite the ash covering up the town, the local residents have not evacuated the place.
The residents that Arnorsdottir met have said, “We will get through this together like the generations before us and it’s going to be over soon. We are just hoping Katla doesn’t erupt next year.”
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he eruption of Iceland’s Grimsvotn has left holiday makers across Europe experience delays or cancelled flights. It has spread fears that we could see a repeat of last year’s ash cloud that caused chaos all over Europe. However, it has done more than disrupt air travel.
Thora Arnorsdottir, a senior reporter from the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service went to visit the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur which has been covered in ash and is totally shut out of daylight. All the buildings and vehicles are covered in dust. Arnorsdottir explains that “At the end of May during normal circumstances, the town is usually bright for at least 20 hours a day but at the moment people could mistake it for winter.”
Cars are still working and running around the small town despite the thick ash covering them. People must obviously drive more carefully, avoid turning the air conditioning on and remember to change the filters frequently.
Unnar Steinn, who owns the only store in town, is still open for business as usual. He states that “People are just staying at home and they have to get food from somewhere.”
No one has the courage to leave the house without wearing a protective mask or eye goggles.
Arnorsdottir said “It’s hard to breathe. It’s physically impossible to stay outside more than a couple of minutes at the time. You cry constantly as the eyes try to fight the ash.”
One resident said “At least it’s the 21st Century where we can at least flee into a concrete building and catch our breath.”
Despite the ash covering up the town, the local residents have not evacuated the place.
The residents that Arnorsdottir met have said, “We will get through this together like the generations before us and it’s going to be over soon. We are just hoping Katla doesn’t erupt next year.”
Here’s hoping!