The river Múlakvísl river, one of the glacial rivers carrying melt water from Mýrdalsjökull glacier swelled over the weekend due to a small glacial outburst flood from the glacier. The water carried a heavy sulfuric smell, a clear sign of growing geothermal activity beneath the glacier.
Read more: Volcano Katla also trembled yesterday: Largest quake in the monster volcano since 1977
The flood followed an episode of intense seismic activity in the caldera of the sub-glacial volcano Katla. A 4.5 magnitude quake in the volcano on Thursday was the largest since 1977. Katla is kept under close surveillance as the volcano is long overdue for an eruption. An eruption in Katla could dwarf the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.
Read more: Yesterday sub-glacial volcano Katla trembled, today rivers smell of sulfur
On Thursday residents in Vík noticed a growing smell of sulfur emanating from the river, and by Friday the river began swelling, both clear signs of an imminent outburst flood. By early morning on Saturday the river had turned color, turning deep gray. The flood peaked during Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday evening the Icelandic Meteorological Office had declared it over.
People urged to show caution
The Icelandic Civil protection agency monitored the flood closely, as a large outburst flood in Múlakvísl could threaten the Ring Road and even the village of Vík, which is located in the foothills of Mýrdalsjökull. A flood in the river could also be an indication of growing geological activity in the caldera of the giant volcano Katla, which is located beneath the glacier.
As the flood receded on Saturday the Civil Protection agency downgraded the risk. The Ring Road, which crosses Múlakvísl east of the village of Vík was never in danger. Police in South Iceland told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service the Ring Road was never in any danger.
Katla volcano, Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the rivers running from the glacier are all kept under close surveillance, as the Icelandic Meteorological Office has not ruled out the possibility of a second, larger outburst flood. People are urged to show caution when travelling close to the glacier or its rivers.
The river Múlakvísl river, one of the glacial rivers carrying melt water from Mýrdalsjökull glacier swelled over the weekend due to a small glacial outburst flood from the glacier. The water carried a heavy sulfuric smell, a clear sign of growing geothermal activity beneath the glacier.
Read more: Volcano Katla also trembled yesterday: Largest quake in the monster volcano since 1977
The flood followed an episode of intense seismic activity in the caldera of the sub-glacial volcano Katla. A 4.5 magnitude quake in the volcano on Thursday was the largest since 1977. Katla is kept under close surveillance as the volcano is long overdue for an eruption. An eruption in Katla could dwarf the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.
Read more: Yesterday sub-glacial volcano Katla trembled, today rivers smell of sulfur
On Thursday residents in Vík noticed a growing smell of sulfur emanating from the river, and by Friday the river began swelling, both clear signs of an imminent outburst flood. By early morning on Saturday the river had turned color, turning deep gray. The flood peaked during Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday evening the Icelandic Meteorological Office had declared it over.
People urged to show caution
The Icelandic Civil protection agency monitored the flood closely, as a large outburst flood in Múlakvísl could threaten the Ring Road and even the village of Vík, which is located in the foothills of Mýrdalsjökull. A flood in the river could also be an indication of growing geological activity in the caldera of the giant volcano Katla, which is located beneath the glacier.
As the flood receded on Saturday the Civil Protection agency downgraded the risk. The Ring Road, which crosses Múlakvísl east of the village of Vík was never in danger. Police in South Iceland told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service the Ring Road was never in any danger.
Katla volcano, Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the rivers running from the glacier are all kept under close surveillance, as the Icelandic Meteorological Office has not ruled out the possibility of a second, larger outburst flood. People are urged to show caution when travelling close to the glacier or its rivers.
