The outburst flood from the Skáftárketill calderas is expected to reach settled areas in Skaftárdalur valley by noon. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has noted that the river is beginning to swell at the highest measurement point, by Sveinstindur mountain.
Benedikt Ófeigsson a geophysisist working with the Icelandic Meteorological Office told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV the initial readings indicated that the flood would be very large, but it was still too early to say exactly how big this flood would be.
According to the local news site visir.is the waterlevel by Sveinstindur mountain rose by 60 cm (24 in) between midnight and six in the morning, from 2.3 m to 2.9 m (7ft 7 in to 9ft 6in). At the same time the flow increased from 130 cubic metres per second to 300 cubic metres (4,600 cubic feet to 10,600 cubic feet). At eight the flow had increased to 600 cubic meters (21,200 cubic feet), and 900 metres (31,800 cubic feet) by ten. This is the most rapid growth ever seen in a glacial outburst flood from the Skáftárketill calderas according to RÚV.
The speed at which the eastern Skáftárketill caldera is emptying has continued to increase tonight. After the caldera empties the water has to travel underneath the glacier before it bursts into the river. Tonight’s measurements show the first floodwaters have already reached the river.
Travellers are advised to stay away from the river due to poisonous gasses which accompany glacial outburst floods.
The outburst flood from the Skáftárketill calderas is expected to reach settled areas in Skaftárdalur valley by noon. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has noted that the river is beginning to swell at the highest measurement point, by Sveinstindur mountain.
Benedikt Ófeigsson a geophysisist working with the Icelandic Meteorological Office told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV the initial readings indicated that the flood would be very large, but it was still too early to say exactly how big this flood would be.
According to the local news site visir.is the waterlevel by Sveinstindur mountain rose by 60 cm (24 in) between midnight and six in the morning, from 2.3 m to 2.9 m (7ft 7 in to 9ft 6in). At the same time the flow increased from 130 cubic metres per second to 300 cubic metres (4,600 cubic feet to 10,600 cubic feet). At eight the flow had increased to 600 cubic meters (21,200 cubic feet), and 900 metres (31,800 cubic feet) by ten. This is the most rapid growth ever seen in a glacial outburst flood from the Skáftárketill calderas according to RÚV.
The speed at which the eastern Skáftárketill caldera is emptying has continued to increase tonight. After the caldera empties the water has to travel underneath the glacier before it bursts into the river. Tonight’s measurements show the first floodwaters have already reached the river.
Travellers are advised to stay away from the river due to poisonous gasses which accompany glacial outburst floods.
