The Eyjafjallajökull eruption continues to rage on, although it has apparently calmed down a tad since three o’ clock this morning. Also, geologists are saying the eruption should have come as no surprise.
Vísir reports that scientists who flew near the site reported ten active lava plumes, measuring 100 to 150 meters in height. As it is now, the eruption is about 300 meters long, and measured half a kilometer in length at the beginning.

Ash has already begun to fall in areas west of the eruption, and families from 15 different villages are still evacuated. Travel through the area is highly restricted even today.

On the bright side, there are no reported injuries or fatalities. The greatest danger in the area right now is ash, which livestock could eat when it lands on grass. The ash contains high levels of fluorine, and is very poisonous. Farmers have been advised to keep their livestock indoors until further notice.

Geologists have been predicting an eruption in the area at least as late as March of last year, as there have been numerous small and large tremors there, which is often a precursor to a volcano. Danish geologist Henning Andersen told Danish radio that even if the volcano hasn’t erupted since 1823, the recent seismic activity in the area should have made the arrival of an eruption apparent.