As countries go, Iceland, despite its small size, is literally a hot spot for volcanoes. That's not all
bad - its people have warm hearts. Until this year, Eyjafjallajokull (AY-yah-fyah-lah-YOH-kuul, we
think; it literally means 'island mountain glacier') had not been considered much of a threat or
even especially active compared to other volcanoes in Iceland. There had been eruptions in 1612
and 1821-3. There's a widespread superstition among vulcanologists never to be derisive.
bad - its people have warm hearts. Until this year, Eyjafjallajokull (AY-yah-fyah-lah-YOH-kuul, we
think; it literally means 'island mountain glacier') had not been considered much of a threat or
even especially active compared to other volcanoes in Iceland. There had been eruptions in 1612
and 1821-3. There's a widespread superstition among vulcanologists never to be derisive.
