Rancher Magnus Kristjansson wears a protective mask
as he talks on the phone before herding cattle into a barn near an erupting
volcano in Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland, April 20. Ash clouds from the eruptions
have wreaked havoc on air travel in Europe and are raising environmental
concerns.
CNS PHOTO/LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS
Iceland
worries about
long-term impact of volcano
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As well as disrupting air
travel for millions of people in Europe, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull
volcano is having an impact on inhabitants of Iceland, the country’s
bishop said.
“Imports are blocked, and this creates problems in vital sectors
such as hospitals. And what will become of the plant and animal life affected
by the toxic particles released by the ash cloud?” Bishop Pierre
Burcher of Reykjavik told Vatican Radio.
Bishop Burcher said life in Reykjavik has not been drastically affected
by the eruption which began April 14, mainly because prevailing winds
have carried the ash cloud away from the city. But people are worried
about the future, he said.
“Another volcano, Katla, which is close to Eyjafjallajokull but
is bigger and more dangerous, has often reawakened in the past. What will
happen?” he said.
The bishop added that if the eruption continues, it could greatly disrupt
the country’s tourism industry in the summer.
Experts in Iceland have voiced concern about the wind changing direction
and bringing ash over more populated areas. Some are worried about the
long-term effects of the ash on agriculture.
The eruption has also caused flooding that has damaged roads and bridges
and led to some school closings.
The Swiss-born Bishop Burcher said that with its far-reaching effects,
the volcanic eruption has illustrated the meaning of globalization in
modern society.
“No event, even if small and distant, can leave the rest of the
world indifferent,” Bishop Burcher said.
Iceland has around 320,000 inhabitants, including about 10,000 Catholics.
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