It has become increasingly probable that a large-scale eruption could occur around the edge of the Bárðarbunga caldera, reports the National Broadcasting Service, RÚV. However, according to volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson, such an eruption would die out quickly.
“Large-scale eruptions are usually short lived. It’s the immediate effects of such an eruption, such as ash fall, that is our main concern. Iceland will not be blown to smithereens,” he said.
Over twenty earthquakes have occurred under the Bárðarbunga caldera since midnight (September 26). The caldera itself keeps sinking at 50 cm (20 inches) per day. Its total subsidence is currently around 30 metres (98 ft).
Seismic activity has slowly increased again beneath the dyke, which could trigger a new eruption under the glacier. The most widespread effects of a subglacial eruption are derived from volcanic gases, flooding and ash fall.
Fréttablaðið newspaper reports that great amounts of ash fall could spoil water sources in the eastern regions of Iceland. Víðir Reynisson, head of the Civil Protection Department with the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, says officials have already sought advice from the Hawaiian Civil Protection who has considerable experience and knowledge on how to tackle volcanic gas emissions and ash fall.
“We saw ash fall spoil dozens of local water sources during the 2011 Grímsvötn eruption. Water had to be transported to those regions from other parts of the country for weeks following the eruption,” Víðir said.
Icelandic authorities are already taking precautionary steps in order to prevent such event repeating themselves.
Gas releases from Holuhraun eruption have already reached record-breaking figures: around 20.000 tons of gases (mainly sulphur dioxide) are being released daily.
It has become increasingly probable that a large-scale eruption could occur around the edge of the Bárðarbunga caldera, reports the National Broadcasting Service, RÚV. However, according to volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson, such an eruption would die out quickly.
“Large-scale eruptions are usually short lived. It’s the immediate effects of such an eruption, such as ash fall, that is our main concern. Iceland will not be blown to smithereens,” he said.
Over twenty earthquakes have occurred under the Bárðarbunga caldera since midnight (September 26). The caldera itself keeps sinking at 50 cm (20 inches) per day. Its total subsidence is currently around 30 metres (98 ft).
Seismic activity has slowly increased again beneath the dyke, which could trigger a new eruption under the glacier. The most widespread effects of a subglacial eruption are derived from volcanic gases, flooding and ash fall.
Fréttablaðið newspaper reports that great amounts of ash fall could spoil water sources in the eastern regions of Iceland. Víðir Reynisson, head of the Civil Protection Department with the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, says officials have already sought advice from the Hawaiian Civil Protection who has considerable experience and knowledge on how to tackle volcanic gas emissions and ash fall.
“We saw ash fall spoil dozens of local water sources during the 2011 Grímsvötn eruption. Water had to be transported to those regions from other parts of the country for weeks following the eruption,” Víðir said.
Icelandic authorities are already taking precautionary steps in order to prevent such event repeating themselves.
Gas releases from Holuhraun eruption have already reached record-breaking figures: around 20.000 tons of gases (mainly sulphur dioxide) are being released daily.
