A volcanologist at Edinburgh University, Thor Thordarson, notes that Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano whose eruption in April this year has caused so much trouble for airlines and passengers, is only one of many volcanoes in the vicinity of the Laki fissure in Iceland.

This is one of the places on Earth where two tectonic plates, in slow but constant motion, are shifting to force some of the planet’s fiery innards to escape through the surface.

Many of these volcanic ‘escape valves’ are much bigger than Eyjafjallajokull, and history shows that the eruption of one usually triggers an eruption in its neighbours.

Of major concern are the “Angry Sisters”, including Katla, Hekla, Grimsvotn and Askja.

These are all volcanoes with the potential of wreaking more havoc than all the human-generated air pollution in the world.  In the past, whenever Eyjafjallajokull has erupted, Katla has followed suit.  In 1755, Katla’s explosion rained ash on Scotland, and the floodwaters from melting ice have been compared by researchers to the combined output of the Mississippi, Amazon and Nile rivers.

Another factor in scientists’ calculations of potential damage is the length of time these eruptions may continue.  When Eyjafjallajokull erupted in 1821 the upheaval went on for 15 months, and according to Stephen Sparks, professor in the earth sciences department at Bristol University, these volcanoes have “personalities” and that means the volcano may do the same thing this time.

Many scientists and professors in the field of volcanic study are suggesting that the British government should participate with Iceland in more careful evaluation of the seismic activity that usually precedes an eruption, so at least there can be some advance warning of another volcanic event.

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