Bárðarbunga caldera is causing scientists significant concern. The ongoing Holuhraun eruption is Iceland's largest lava discharge in more than 100 years. The eruption is within the Bárðabunga volcanic system but has taken place in an ice-free zone where the ash production is minimal and there is no glacial flooding.
If the huge 10 km (6,2 mi) wide Bárðarbunga caldera takes off it would most likely be the biggest eruption in decades with enormous ash clouds and glacial outburst floods (jökulhlaup). The ice above the volcano is almost 1.000 m (3,280 ft) thick and the caldera is at the center of a 200 km (124 mi) long volcanic system.
Recently, there has been large changes to the ice surface above the sub-glacial volcano. The ice in the centre of the caldera has sank 20 m (65 ft) and continues to subside. According to scientists this could mean a dangerous eruption is on the horizon.
The eruption still in progress is located at Holuhraun lava field, about 35 km (25 mi) north of Bárðarbunga caldera.
This morning between midnight and 6 nearly 50 earthquakes were detected at Bárðarbunga caldera with the largest measuring a 5.5 magnitude.
According to the Icelandic Met Office, seismic activity is continuing and the potential for a massive flood is still on the table if Bárðarbunga takes off.
Bárðarbunga caldera is causing scientists significant concern. The ongoing Holuhraun eruption is Iceland's largest lava discharge in more than 100 years. The eruption is within the Bárðabunga volcanic system but has taken place in an ice-free zone where the ash production is minimal and there is no glacial flooding.
If the huge 10 km (6,2 mi) wide Bárðarbunga caldera takes off it would most likely be the biggest eruption in decades with enormous ash clouds and glacial outburst floods (jökulhlaup). The ice above the volcano is almost 1.000 m (3,280 ft) thick and the caldera is at the center of a 200 km (124 mi) long volcanic system.
Recently, there has been large changes to the ice surface above the sub-glacial volcano. The ice in the centre of the caldera has sank 20 m (65 ft) and continues to subside. According to scientists this could mean a dangerous eruption is on the horizon.
The eruption still in progress is located at Holuhraun lava field, about 35 km (25 mi) north of Bárðarbunga caldera.
This morning between midnight and 6 nearly 50 earthquakes were detected at Bárðarbunga caldera with the largest measuring a 5.5 magnitude.
According to the Icelandic Met Office, seismic activity is continuing and the potential for a massive flood is still on the table if Bárðarbunga takes off.
