Icelandic authorities warned yesterday of increased disturbance in the area of the volcanic eruption that forced more than 600 people to flee their homes on Sunday.

"Police have increased surveillance in the whole area around the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers because of increased disturbance this morning in the volcanic eruption," the police and civil protection department said in a statement.

Police warned there could be danger in travelling or driving in the vicinity of the volcanic area and closed some of the area's roads.

Public broadcaster RUV reported small earthquakes in the region of the volcanic eruption were measured early yesterday.

It also said the 800-metre fissure caused by the eruption was getting larger and heading towards the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which sits on top of the powerful Katla volcano.

A volcanic eruption in the south of Iceland forced 600 people to flee their homes early on Sunday but no casualties were reported.

It was the first volcanic eruption in Iceland since 2004, and the first in the vicinity of the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier since 1823.