Hikers and scientists have in recent days detected strong sulfuric smell emanating from Sólheimajökull glacier and around Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi river in South Iceland. Travelers are urged to show caution around the glacier and the river, as the sulfuric gas can concentrate in depressions in the landscape, reaching dangerously strong levels.
Scientists pay extremely close attention to sulfuric gas emissions from glaciers and glacial rivers, as they can be signs of changes in geothermal or volcanic activity beneath the glacier. Sulfuric gas is carried by meltwater from geothermal areas, and then released as the river emerges from beneath the ice. Sólheimajökull is one of the outlet glaciers of Mýrdalsjökull, the fourth largest glacier in Iceland. Hidden beneath the ice cap lies the monster volcano Katla.
Geologists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office say that there are no signs of increased geological activity in Katla. The origins of the sulfuric gas emissions recorded in recent days is therefore still somewhat of a mystery.
Travelers are urged to show caution when traveling near the glacier or the river, as sulfuric gas can concentrate in dangerous quantities in depressions and hollows. People should also keep a safe distance from the river in case there is an outburst flood, caused by the sudden release of large quantities of meltwater held beneath the ice cap.
Hikers and scientists have in recent days detected strong sulfuric smell emanating from Sólheimajökull glacier and around Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi river in South Iceland. Travelers are urged to show caution around the glacier and the river, as the sulfuric gas can concentrate in depressions in the landscape, reaching dangerously strong levels.
Scientists pay extremely close attention to sulfuric gas emissions from glaciers and glacial rivers, as they can be signs of changes in geothermal or volcanic activity beneath the glacier. Sulfuric gas is carried by meltwater from geothermal areas, and then released as the river emerges from beneath the ice. Sólheimajökull is one of the outlet glaciers of Mýrdalsjökull, the fourth largest glacier in Iceland. Hidden beneath the ice cap lies the monster volcano Katla.
Geologists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office say that there are no signs of increased geological activity in Katla. The origins of the sulfuric gas emissions recorded in recent days is therefore still somewhat of a mystery.
Travelers are urged to show caution when traveling near the glacier or the river, as sulfuric gas can concentrate in dangerous quantities in depressions and hollows. People should also keep a safe distance from the river in case there is an outburst flood, caused by the sudden release of large quantities of meltwater held beneath the ice cap.
