Icelandic glaciologist Helgi Björnsson has expressed concern that the glacier on the now-active volcano will not recover quickly from the massive eruption in mid-April, which is causing the glacier to melt more rapidly because of the warming climate.

In a past eruption of Eyjafjallajökull that occurred nearly 200 years ago in 1821-1823, glacial loss was prevented at that time thanks to an accumulated mass of snow that formed during the time period known as the "Little Ice Age."  Even now, in an unchanged climate the glacier could still recover from the regional heat generated by such an eruption within 10-20 years.

However, with global warming, Icelandic scientists have noted that the glacier is already shrinking faster than the snow can be replenished in the same year. Referring to the sudden added heating factor of the recent eruptions, Dr. Björnsson stated, "Now the outlook is even bleaker."

 Glaciologist Björnsson, we appreciate your insightful analysis of global warming’s additional impact on the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. May the balance of this and all other such monuments of nature be renewed through our sustainable stewardship of the ecosphere.

During a September 2009 videoconference in Peru, as on previous occasions, Supreme Master Ching Hai urged for action to curb the impacts of such unpredictable events.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2010-05/05/c_13279461.htm
http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16568&ew_0_a_id=361776