All is quiet at Icelandic volcano, research shows

Officials in Iceland say there is very little activity at the Eyjafjöll volcano but that it is too early to say whether the eruption that has disrupted global air travel is over. Iceland's Meteorological Office has said that "the eruption activity is minimal".

A Civil Protection Agency official Iris Marelsdottir told AP yesterday that some steam was coming out of the volcano but no ash. The lava flow has stopped completely. She said: "It's too early to say this is over, but at the moment it is quiet."

The ash plume from the volcano now reaches heights of 10,000ft to 12,000ft, blowing toward the north-east and then north-west. The findings are based on an inspection flight yesterday, global positioning system data and other research.

Eyjafjöll erupted on 14 April for the first time in nearly two centuries.

Danger to planes from the volcanic ash plume led to an unprecedented closure of all UK airspace for five days. Worldwide, an estimated 10 million passengers were unable to travel. It is believed to have cost the airline industry £1.2bn.