5 Things You Need to Know About the Volcano That Could Ruin Your Summer Travel Plans
- A massive volcanic eruption in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula has forced the closure of Keflavik International Airport, grounding flights across Europe and North America, with ash clouds drifting over major airspace.
- Scientists are warning that this is not a one-off event—seismic data shows a new fissure system opening up, meaning eruptions could continue for weeks or even months, creating a major disruption to global travel.
- The ash cloud contains microscopic glass particles that can melt inside jet engines, causing them to fail mid-flight, which is why authorities have banned all commercial planes from flying within a 200-mile radius of the eruption site.
- Tourists who ignored evacuation orders are now stranded on the peninsula as lava flows have cut off the only road out, and rescue crews are unable to reach them due to toxic gas emissions hovering near the ground.
- If you have a flight booked to Europe or the East Coast in the next 10 days, check your airline’s policy now—most are offering free rebookings, but you may have to wait up to two weeks for a seat due to the sudden surge in demand.