The volcanic system has been rocked by hundreds of tremors every day since mid-August, prompting fears that it could explode any day. Some researchers were concerned about the smoke could cause problems to the airplanes overhead, in a replay of the eruption of the country's Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010.
Thus far, there have been no disruptions. In fact, some pilots have been detouring to give the passengers a first-hand close-up view of the volcano.
Like Eyjafjallajökull, Bárðarbunga is very hard to pronounce. But it has given us some stunning photos.
Photo credits: Bernard Meric/AFP