In preparation for the eruption of Bardarbunga, Iceland briefly closed its airspace after another earthquake caused a kilometer-long fissure near the temperamental volcano.

Officials initially raised the aviation warning to its highest level — red.  This prohibited planes from flying up to 18,000 feet in fear that an ash cloud would impact aircraft. Officials have since downgraded the alert to orange (the next highest level), and reopened all Icelandic airports, which will allow planes to fly within a 3-mile radius of the volcano.