Due to the ongoing unrest at Bárðarbunga volcano the Iceland Met Office (IMO) has raised the aviation colour code to orange in accordance with recommended International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) procedures. This is the second highest alert and is issued when a volcano shows heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption.
According to the Icelandic Met Office intense earthquake swarm continues at Bárðarbunga volcano. However presently there are no signs of magma moving to the surface.
This is how IMO's scientists explain the colour codes:
Colour codes are intended to inform the aviation sector about a volcano's status. Notifications are issued for both increasing and decreasing volcanic activity, and are accompanied by text with details (as known) about the nature of the unrest or eruption, especially in regard to ash-plume information and likely outcomes.
Aviation colour code used by The Icelandic Met Office
GREY
Volcano appears quiet but is not monitored adequately. Absence of unrest unconfirmed.
GREEN
Volcano is in typical background, non-eruptive state.
YELLOW
Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level
ORANGE
Volcano shows heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption.
RED
Eruption is imminent or in progress – significant emission of ash into atmosphere likely.
Due to the ongoing unrest at Bárðarbunga volcano the Iceland Met Office (IMO) has raised the aviation colour code to orange in accordance with recommended International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) procedures. This is the second highest alert and is issued when a volcano shows heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption.
According to the Icelandic Met Office intense earthquake swarm continues at Bárðarbunga volcano. However presently there are no signs of magma moving to the surface.
This is how IMO's scientists explain the colour codes:
Colour codes are intended to inform the aviation sector about a volcano's status. Notifications are issued for both increasing and decreasing volcanic activity, and are accompanied by text with details (as known) about the nature of the unrest or eruption, especially in regard to ash-plume information and likely outcomes.
Aviation colour code used by The Icelandic Met Office
GREY
Volcano appears quiet but is not monitored adequately. Absence of unrest unconfirmed.
GREEN
Volcano is in typical background, non-eruptive state.
YELLOW
Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level
ORANGE
Volcano shows heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption.
RED
Eruption is imminent or in progress – significant emission of ash into atmosphere likely.
