Experts scramble to monitor long-dormant Iceland volcano
(World News Science)

ORAEFI, Iceland (AP) - At the summit of one of Iceland`s most dangerous volcanoes, a 72-foot (22-meter) depression in the snow is the only visible sign of an alarming development. The Oraefajokull (err-IVER`-yer-kuhl) volcano, dormant since its last eruption in 1727-1728, has seen a recent increase in seismic activity and geothermal water leakage that has worried scientists. With the snow hole on Iceland`s highest peak deepening 18 inches (45 centimeters) each day, authorities have raised the volcano`s alert safety code to yellow. Experts at Iceland`s Meteorological Office have detected 160 earthquakes in the region in the past week alone as they step up their monitoring of the volcano. ......