Scientists have confirmed that Iceland's 2nd deadliest volcano is still very active, despite having remained dormant for more than 250 years. Measurements show significant build-up of magma deep in the mountain, causing the mountain to transform and tremble. Seismic activity has increased drastically in Öræfajökull and surrounding regions in the last year, and shows no signs of slowing down. The last powerful 3+ earthqauke swarm took place just three weeks ago.
Of course, volcanoes move on a geological time-scale, so it's difficult to say when Öræfajökull might erupt. It could be in the next months, or years, or even decades scientists remind us. Volcanoes are also known to stir, only to go back to deep slumber.
Read more: Öræfajökull: Iceland's second deadliest volcano
Yesterday evening the Icelandic Civil Protection Agency held a meeting with the residents of the region in Hof. Kristín Jónsdóttir, a scientist from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, which maintains the seismic monitoring system and keeps Öræfajökull under close watch told the locals that the activity in the volcano appeared to be increasing, rather than slowing down. In an interview with the National Broadcasting Service Kristín said that all indications showed Öræfajökull was definitely preparing for an eruption.
Magma has been building up in large quantities at a depth of 5 km (3.1 mi) below the volcano's caldera. This had caused enormous pressure on the entire mountain, with magma thrusting its way into cracks in the rock. These developments had for example caused a sudden increase in geothermal activity in the volcano's caldera in the winter of 2017-18. The dramatic increase in seismic also showed signs of increase.
However, she added that scientists didn't know at what point Öræfajökull would erupt. Scientists are unable to predict how much pressure from the magma was needed to create an eruption. The volcano is therefore kept under close surveillance.
Scientists have confirmed that Iceland's 2nd deadliest volcano is still very active, despite having remained dormant for more than 250 years. Measurements show significant build-up of magma deep in the mountain, causing the mountain to transform and tremble. Seismic activity has increased drastically in Öræfajökull and surrounding regions in the last year, and shows no signs of slowing down. The last powerful 3+ earthqauke swarm took place just three weeks ago.
Of course, volcanoes move on a geological time-scale, so it's difficult to say when Öræfajökull might erupt. It could be in the next months, or years, or even decades scientists remind us. Volcanoes are also known to stir, only to go back to deep slumber.
Read more: Öræfajökull: Iceland's second deadliest volcano
Yesterday evening the Icelandic Civil Protection Agency held a meeting with the residents of the region in Hof. Kristín Jónsdóttir, a scientist from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, which maintains the seismic monitoring system and keeps Öræfajökull under close watch told the locals that the activity in the volcano appeared to be increasing, rather than slowing down. In an interview with the National Broadcasting Service Kristín said that all indications showed Öræfajökull was definitely preparing for an eruption.
Magma has been building up in large quantities at a depth of 5 km (3.1 mi) below the volcano's caldera. This had caused enormous pressure on the entire mountain, with magma thrusting its way into cracks in the rock. These developments had for example caused a sudden increase in geothermal activity in the volcano's caldera in the winter of 2017-18. The dramatic increase in seismic also showed signs of increase.
However, she added that scientists didn't know at what point Öræfajökull would erupt. Scientists are unable to predict how much pressure from the magma was needed to create an eruption. The volcano is therefore kept under close surveillance.
