The Foreign Office has issued a stark warning to travellers about potential disruptions following a series of volcanic eruptions. The Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is advising tourists to stay vigilant and check for the latest updates before setting off on their journeys.
The warning specifically targets Iceland, which has experienced several volcanic eruptions in recent weeks. Past eruptions in Iceland have been known to send ash clouds across northern Europe, causing significant air traffic issues.
In a cautionary statement, the FCDO announced: “No travel can be guaranteed safe,” and further informed that: “Recently there has been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland. These have affected the town of Grindavik and the area to the north of it. Icelandic authorities advise that you stay away from this area. All roads to Grindavik and the surrounding area are closed.”
They also warned of the ongoing risk, stating: “The likelihood of further eruptions in this location remains high. Check local media for updates and follow the Iceland authorities’ advice on travel to the area.”
The FCDO’s guidance highlights the broader risks associated with volcanoes globally, noting: “There are many volcanoes located around the world. If a volcano erupts, this can cause loss of life and widespread damage to property and transport and other infrastructure.”
The most significant disruption from volcanoes in Iceland occurred in April 2010, when the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano led to widespread air travel disruptions across Europe. The ash cloud from the eruption spread across Europe, leading to the largest air-traffic shutdown since World War II, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Over 100,000 flights were cancelled, affecting millions of passengers.
The main disruption lasted for about a week, but intermittent disruptions continued for several weeks due to ongoing volcanic activity and changing wind patterns. One year later during the Grimsvotn Eruption (2011) flights in and out of Iceland and parts of the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia were hit.