THE ERUPTION beneath Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano has stopped and is unlikely to resume for now, a geologist with the University of Iceland has said.
Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson told the Icelandic state broadcaster RUV yesterday that there is now no activity in the crater.
The news has raised hopes that the severe flight disruption caused by the ash plume that has being spewing from the volcano for over a month could be over for the moment.
However, Mr Gudmundsson didn't rule out the possible resumption of eruptions at some stage in the future.
Particles spewed from the volcano last month grounded 100,000 flights and cost airline carriers $1.7 billion in lost sales, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Volcanic dust is a threat to planes because the abrasive, silica-based material may clog engines and scar windscreens.
A spokesman for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said it had been told the volcano's activity levels were down to about 10 per cent of what they were two to three weeks ago. "We welcome that," he said.
But sounding a note of caution, he said volcanologists and geologists would warn that once a volcano stops there is a requirement that it remains dormant for 21 days before it could be confirmed that it was actually dormant. "The IAA hopes this will be the case so that flights over Irish airspace and in and out of Ireland can continue as normal," its spokesman added.
Experts have cautioned that once the current eruption halted, a new blast in another crater or in the neighbouring and much larger and fiercer Katla volcano might follow.
When or if that will happen is impossible to say, Mr Gudmundsson said.
Activity at the volcano had slowed significantly in recent days and no Irish airports have had to close as a result of its volcanic ash since last Monday.
Some 4,743 flights were cancelled to and from Ireland during the period April 15th to May 10th as a result of the volcanic eruption. In addition, an estimated 530,000 passengers experienced severe delays.
The International Air Transport Association estimated airlines lost €1.5 billion during April alone.