Volcano erupts in Iceland

March 21, 2010 4:30 a.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• First time since 1821 that the volcano under Eyjafjallajokull glacier has erupted
• Eyjafjallajokull is about 100 miles east of Reykjavik

RELATED TOPICS

• Iceland
• Nature and the Environment
• Earth Science

(CNN) -- A volcano erupted beneath a glacier in south Iceland, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people.

It was the first time since 1821 -- almost 200 years ago -- that the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier has erupted.

Eyjafjallajokull is about 100 miles (160 km) east of the capital, Reykjavik.

The country's civil protection agency did not immediately record any injuries or damage. But the heat from the volcano could melt the glacier and cause floods in the surrounding area.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/21/iceland.volcano/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn