Iceland issues aviation red alert after eruption under Dyngjujokull ice cap

Following indications of a possible volcanic eruption under Iceland's Dyngjujokull ice cap, an aviation red alert has been issued by the country.

According to the BBC, authorities said that airspace over the site has been closed, but all Icelandic airports currently remain open. A Europe-wide alert has also been upgraded.

The Iceland Met Office said a small lava eruption had taken place under the Dyngjujokull ice cap and has not broken through the glacier.

The country's met department further said a team if scientists has flown to the region to monitor seismic activity, which is reportedly continuing at the Bardarbunga volcano, about 30km away.

European air safety agency Eurocontrol said it would produce a forecast of likely ash behaviour every six hours, the report said.

Earlier, in 2010, air travel was severely disrupted as ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull made flying more difficult for the pilots.