Iceland issued a red warning about the volcano

On August 23, the Icelandic government issued a red warning about the risk of the Bardarbunga volcanic system erupting, potentially causing global air traffic turmoil.

According to AFP, the Icelandic government said a major eruption at the Bardarbunga volcano could happen at any time. Authorities closed the entire airspace in the area near the volcano Bardarbunga . Even so, the airports in Iceland are still active.

Eyjafjoell volcano erupted in 2010 causing international air traffic chaos - (Photo: CNN)

The new warning comes after experts observed volcanic activity from the air for 3 hours. The police also evacuated 300 people at the tourist destination north of the Bardarbunga volcano, Iceland's largest volcano.

The government also warned that volcanic eruptions could cause the 140-400m thick ice in the area to melt, leading to serious flooding that could destroy the infrastructure.

In April 2010, Eyjafjoell volcano, smaller than Bardarbunga, erupted ash as high as 9km in the sky, causing international air traffic chaos. At that time more than 8 million passengers in Europe were stuck at regional airports.

Bardarbunga volcano is over 2,000m high, located in Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajoekull. Earlier in the week, earthquakes occurred in the area, indicating that the volcano was about to erupt.

Iceland has more than 100 volcanoes, some of which are the most intense in the world.