Instead, the lava is erupting through fissures, cracks in the ground. The 2010 eruption was over in a matter of months, but scientists think this could see lots of smaller eruptions, over a much longer period. The probability is once it has begun it will keep going for some time, and so that isnt great news for the people who are living in the peninsula, where this is occurring, because the most likely scenario is that there will be continued volcanism for the next multiple years. The current activity seems to be slowing, but there is likely to be more to come. Icelands president has said the country is battling tremendous forces of nature. Rebecca morelle, bbc news. Our top story this evening. The Prime Minister says the government will back words with action. And a surge in damage to bikes and cars from potholes but scientists think they may have an answer