Compared to recent activity Bárðarbunga caldera has been quiet in the last 24 hours. According to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) only two earthquakes over magnitude M4 have been detected since yesterday and over ten between M3 and M4. In total about 30 earthquakes.
Monday morning (December 15th) a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck at the northern rim of the caldera. It was the first earthquake above magnitude 5 in ten days and IMO reports that after these large earthquakes occur, earthquake activity tends to decrease.
The earthquake swarm in and around Bárðarbunga continues at high levels, but according to IMO, has shown clear signs of gradual fading during the last weeks and months. This slow decline of activity is reflected by fewer earthquakes and of lower magnitude.
The volcanic fissure in Holuhraun keeps spewing up big amount of lava. Average flow rate is estimated to be close to 100 cubic meters (3,542 cubic ft.) per second. The new lava field is still growing and now covers around 79 square km (30.5 sq. mi).
The eruption is visible via webcams (try this one also) at this moment, but visibility can change rapidly due to weather.
Compared to recent activity Bárðarbunga caldera has been quiet in the last 24 hours. According to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) only two earthquakes over magnitude M4 have been detected since yesterday and over ten between M3 and M4. In total about 30 earthquakes.
Monday morning (December 15th) a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck at the northern rim of the caldera. It was the first earthquake above magnitude 5 in ten days and IMO reports that after these large earthquakes occur, earthquake activity tends to decrease.
The earthquake swarm in and around Bárðarbunga continues at high levels, but according to IMO, has shown clear signs of gradual fading during the last weeks and months. This slow decline of activity is reflected by fewer earthquakes and of lower magnitude.
The volcanic fissure in Holuhraun keeps spewing up big amount of lava. Average flow rate is estimated to be close to 100 cubic meters (3,542 cubic ft.) per second. The new lava field is still growing and now covers around 79 square km (30.5 sq. mi).
The eruption is visible via webcams (try this one also) at this moment, but visibility can change rapidly due to weather.
