The amount of lava spewed up in the ongoing Holuhraun eruption is more than in any other eruption on earth for more than two centuries. We have to go back to the notorious Laki eruption, which occurred 1783-1784, to find more amount of lava from one volcanic system.
UPDATE/CORRECTION: As Ben Edwards points out (thanks/takk! Ben) in the comments below the Holuhraun eruption is not the largest on earth in the last two centuries. The Puu Oo eruption in Hawaii, ongoing since 1983, has produced larger amount of lava, estimated around 4 cubic kilometers (0.96 cu mi) during the 31 year long continuous eruption. It's estimated that Holuhraun has produced around 1 cubic kilometer (0.24 cu mi) of lava in 60 days, making it the fastest flowing lava eruption in two centuries.
After just 60 days the Holuhraun eruption now covers an area of 65.7 square kilometers (25.36 square miles) in the central highlands. That is more than the size of Manhattan (59.5 sq. km/22.96 sq. mi).
In an interview with Visir.is volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson explains that during October new lava covered about 20 square meters (215 sq. ft.) every second. And there are no signs of the eruption coming to an end as it continues at a stable level.
According to Ármann the Holuhraun eruption is quite unusual when compared to other known eruptions. When the lava surfaces it is 1,200 degrees on Celsius (2,192 F), which is 100 to 200 degrees Celsius (212 to 392 F) hotter than in other known eruptions. A possible explanation is that the lava is coming straight from the earth's mantle instead of a magma chamber. Ármann cites this as the main reason for how difficult it is to predict when the eruption will stop.
The amount of lava spewed up in the ongoing Holuhraun eruption is more than in any other eruption on earth for more than two centuries. We have to go back to the notorious Laki eruption, which occurred 1783-1784, to find more amount of lava from one volcanic system.
UPDATE/CORRECTION: As Ben Edwards points out (thanks/takk! Ben) in the comments below the Holuhraun eruption is not the largest on earth in the last two centuries. The Puu Oo eruption in Hawaii, ongoing since 1983, has produced larger amount of lava, estimated around 4 cubic kilometers (0.96 cu mi) during the 31 year long continuous eruption. It's estimated that Holuhraun has produced around 1 cubic kilometer (0.24 cu mi) of lava in 60 days, making it the fastest flowing lava eruption in two centuries.
After just 60 days the Holuhraun eruption now covers an area of 65.7 square kilometers (25.36 square miles) in the central highlands. That is more than the size of Manhattan (59.5 sq. km/22.96 sq. mi).
In an interview with Visir.is volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson explains that during October new lava covered about 20 square meters (215 sq. ft.) every second. And there are no signs of the eruption coming to an end as it continues at a stable level.
According to Ármann the Holuhraun eruption is quite unusual when compared to other known eruptions. When the lava surfaces it is 1,200 degrees on Celsius (2,192 F), which is 100 to 200 degrees Celsius (212 to 392 F) hotter than in other known eruptions. A possible explanation is that the lava is coming straight from the earth's mantle instead of a magma chamber. Ármann cites this as the main reason for how difficult it is to predict when the eruption will stop.
