At least 20,000 earthquakes have struck the Bárðarbunga volcano area over the past 30 days, according to estimates from the Icelandic Met Office. A majority of the earthquakes were under 3.0 magnitude, however, A total of 23 earthquakes were detected of magnitude 5.0 or higher. The largest earthquake was a 5.7 magnitude 'quake that occurred on August 26th.
As for an update on the eruption, no significant changes have occurred to Holuhraun lava field. Yet a concern remains regarding the sulfur dioxide pollution emitted from the eruption. No immediate harm is being caused as a result of the potentially toxic gases, however, the Icelandic Met Office continues to monitor the situation.
As far as what's next for Iceland's volcano system, there are three likely scenarios at this point.
1. The subsidence of Bárðarbunga's caldera will come to a halt and the Holuhraun eruption will fizzle out.
2. The subsidence could continue, along with the eruption at Holuhraun lava field. Another eruption could start, possibly under glacier, yielding a sub-glacial eruption that would likely emit volcanic ash and could cause glacial flooding in the area.
3. There is an eruption within the Bárðarbunga caldera. This would be the most powerful possibility with the most devastating consequences. An eruption within the caldera would produce an explosive eruption with significant volcanic ash and glacial flooding imminent.
At least 20,000 earthquakes have struck the Bárðarbunga volcano area over the past 30 days, according to estimates from the Icelandic Met Office. A majority of the earthquakes were under 3.0 magnitude, however, A total of 23 earthquakes were detected of magnitude 5.0 or higher. The largest earthquake was a 5.7 magnitude 'quake that occurred on August 26th.
As for an update on the eruption, no significant changes have occurred to Holuhraun lava field. Yet a concern remains regarding the sulfur dioxide pollution emitted from the eruption. No immediate harm is being caused as a result of the potentially toxic gases, however, the Icelandic Met Office continues to monitor the situation.
As far as what's next for Iceland's volcano system, there are three likely scenarios at this point.
1. The subsidence of Bárðarbunga's caldera will come to a halt and the Holuhraun eruption will fizzle out.
2. The subsidence could continue, along with the eruption at Holuhraun lava field. Another eruption could start, possibly under glacier, yielding a sub-glacial eruption that would likely emit volcanic ash and could cause glacial flooding in the area.
3. There is an eruption within the Bárðarbunga caldera. This would be the most powerful possibility with the most devastating consequences. An eruption within the caldera would produce an explosive eruption with significant volcanic ash and glacial flooding imminent.
