South Pacific Volcano Erupts, Diverts Flights

Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano still hasn't blown its top, but an eruption is disrupting aviation on the other side of the world: Flights between Australia and Asia have been diverted and an ash cloud could disrupt flight plans further after a major eruption in Papua New Guinea, the AP reports. Mount Tavurvur on the island of New Britain began erupting early this morning, and an area resident tells the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that residents are fleeing as the volcano emits steam and booming noises. The nearby town of Rabaul was completely destroyed by volcanic ash when Tavurvur erupted in tandem with neighboring Mount Vulcan in 1994. (More Papua New Guinea stories.)