Photo of the Day: Grimsvotn Volcano Erupts in Iceland

Erupting steam and ash interact with clouds above Grímsvötn volcano. Photographer Jóhann Ingi Jónsson traveled within 1 kilometer of the eruption site on the evening of May 22, 2011, to get these photos. Click to zoom.

Iceland’s most active volcano, Grímsvötn, erupted on Saturday for the first time since 2004, hurling a plume of steam and ash nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the sky. People living next to the glacier where the Grímsvötn volcano burst into life were most severely affected, with ash blocking out the daylight and smothering buildings and vehicles. Iceland also closed its main international airport and canceled domestic flights on Sunday, and aviation officials will be closely monitoring European airspace for the next few days. (Source: theAtlantic)