The Icelandic Meteorological Office has announced that the eastern Skaftárketill caldera in Vatnajökull glacier is emptying into the Skaftá river. Large amounts of water collect in the calderas under the glacier due to volcanic and geothermal activity which melts the glacier above. The calderas have emptied on average every two years, causing massive flooding in the Skaftá river.
Flood still making its way under the glacier
The flood is still making its way under the glacier as the emptying of the caldera has only just begun. The water level in Skaftá has yet to change, but when the water bursts from underneath the glacier it will swell the river which will engulf the sands to the south of the glacier. At this point the flood can only be observed on precise instruments of the Meteorological Office which monitors the height of the ice cover at the Skaftárfell calderas. Over the past 48 hours the glacier has been dropping at an accelerating speed, indicating the caldera is rapidly emptying its water into the river.
Floods in Skaftá glacial river in Southern Iceland are quite frequent. They are caused by geothermal and volcanic activity in the Skaftá calderas under western Vatnajökull glacier. The heat melts glacial ice which collects in the calderas. The weight of the glacier keeps the water in check, but when enough water has collected its pressure is sufficient to lift the glacier, allowing for the escape of all the meltwater into the Skaftá river.
An announcement from the Icelandic Meteorological office notes that floods are less frequent from the eastern of the two calderas. They are also larger on average. The last time the caldera emptied was in June 2010.
No travel advisory has been issued, but travellers should monitor the situation
The Meteorological Office is monitoring the situation which is still developing. No further information will be available until later this afternoon when the Icelandic Civil Protection Authorities is also expected to make an announcement about the case. No travel warning is in effect for the Skaftá river area, but travellers in the area should check the web page of the Icelandic Met Office for updates.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has announced that the eastern Skaftárketill caldera in Vatnajökull glacier is emptying into the Skaftá river. Large amounts of water collect in the calderas under the glacier due to volcanic and geothermal activity which melts the glacier above. The calderas have emptied on average every two years, causing massive flooding in the Skaftá river.
Flood still making its way under the glacier
The flood is still making its way under the glacier as the emptying of the caldera has only just begun. The water level in Skaftá has yet to change, but when the water bursts from underneath the glacier it will swell the river which will engulf the sands to the south of the glacier. At this point the flood can only be observed on precise instruments of the Meteorological Office which monitors the height of the ice cover at the Skaftárfell calderas. Over the past 48 hours the glacier has been dropping at an accelerating speed, indicating the caldera is rapidly emptying its water into the river.
Floods in Skaftá glacial river in Southern Iceland are quite frequent. They are caused by geothermal and volcanic activity in the Skaftá calderas under western Vatnajökull glacier. The heat melts glacial ice which collects in the calderas. The weight of the glacier keeps the water in check, but when enough water has collected its pressure is sufficient to lift the glacier, allowing for the escape of all the meltwater into the Skaftá river.
An announcement from the Icelandic Meteorological office notes that floods are less frequent from the eastern of the two calderas. They are also larger on average. The last time the caldera emptied was in June 2010.
No travel advisory has been issued, but travellers should monitor the situation
The Meteorological Office is monitoring the situation which is still developing. No further information will be available until later this afternoon when the Icelandic Civil Protection Authorities is also expected to make an announcement about the case. No travel warning is in effect for the Skaftá river area, but travellers in the area should check the web page of the Icelandic Met Office for updates.
