Fresh weekend eruptions from Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano have produced a 1600 km-wide ash cloud over the Atlantic although the Icelandic Meteorological Office is today reporting a decrease in activity.
The brownish plume, travelling east and then south, is clearly visible in stark contrast to white clouds framing this Envisat image taken on Saturday.
The volcano began emitting steam and ash on 20 March, wreaking havoc on European aviation last month. Renewed activity last week caused some flights to be suspended to and from Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Authorities are monitoring the position and height of the ash cloud as well as the direction of prevailing Atlantic winds, which pose a problem when they blow south towards Ireland, located 1500 km southeast of the volcano.
In a statement, the UK Met Office, said: “Latest Information received from the Icelandic Meteorological Office states that that the explosive activity from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano has continued to decrease and the ash plume has reduced slightly in height to 18,000 to 20,000 ft. The Icelandic Met Office state that there are no signs that the eruption is about to end, with the situation with the volcanic eruption remaining dynamic.
“Winds are expected to blow from a mainly northerly direction through Sunday and into Monday, with most of the ash cloud likely to stay over the Atlantic Ocean and close to western parts of the British Isles.
“As a result NATS continues to advise aircraft about airspace restrictions affecting transatlantic flights, allowing them to cross the Atlantic safely. The ash cloud has drifted across some parts of central and southern Europe, leading to disruption.”
A spokesman for NATS, added today: "The high density area of the volcanic ash cloud is now lying to the north-west of the UK and as a result, there are currently no restrictions within UK airspace apart from those affecting Stornaway, Benbecula and Barra airfields, which lie within the no-fly zone from 1300 (local) to 1900."
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