Following new hazard assessment for gas pollution from the volcanic eruption in Holuhraun the restricted area around the eruption site has been reduced. Meaning that those who are interested to witness the eruption with their own eyes can now get considerably closer than before. Travelling close to the restricted zone though remains hazardous. Extreme caution is required.
The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and Police Districts Commissioners in North East, East and Southern Iceland made the decision in close collaboration with the Icelandic Met Office (IMO), Vatnajökull National Park, the Icelandic Environmental Agency and the Directorate of Health.
According to a statement by the Icelandic Civil Protection, IMO carried out a new hazard assessment for gas pollution from eruption at the end of January. The new assessment is based on the gradual decreased intensity of the volcanic eruption since October, seasonal weather conditions and regular monitoring of gas pollution at the eruption site. A model for weather conditions in the area over the last 10 years and given values of SO2 was also used.
The risk map that now comes into effect is based on weather conditions in February until May and will be revised again before the summer.
Read more: Why is the new Holuhraun lava field now growing up instead of to the sides?
Gas pollution from the volcanic eruption may even reach high levels outside the restricted area and for that reason the outer limits of the hazard area have not been changed.
The hazard assessment for flood and volcanic ash are still valid. Those who travel inside the hazard area close to the restricted area are encouraged to be cautious, take proper protective measurements and to be fully aware of the latest gas dispersion forecast published on IMO’S web site.
The Civil Protection reports that monitoring of the volcanic gas pollution over the last few months shows that severe gas pollution can occur over Vatnajökull glacier from Flæður alluvial plain, over Kverkfjöll mountains and to the south and east from those areas across the glacier.
A specific hazard assessment for glacial outburst flood, jökulhlaup, in Jökulsárgljúfur canyons is being carried out. That area is still closed to all traffic.
Hazard assessment for the eruption in Holuhraun and the unrest in Bárðarbunga is under constant revision and may be changed summarily.
Read more: The new lava field is engulfing highland roads and signs
Read more: The black lava field is clearly visible from orbit
Strict rules apply to the areas closed to traffic. The closed area around the eruption site is demarcated by lines drawn sequentially between the points listed in the table here.
Following new hazard assessment for gas pollution from the volcanic eruption in Holuhraun the restricted area around the eruption site has been reduced. Meaning that those who are interested to witness the eruption with their own eyes can now get considerably closer than before. Travelling close to the restricted zone though remains hazardous. Extreme caution is required.
The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and Police Districts Commissioners in North East, East and Southern Iceland made the decision in close collaboration with the Icelandic Met Office (IMO), Vatnajökull National Park, the Icelandic Environmental Agency and the Directorate of Health.
According to a statement by the Icelandic Civil Protection, IMO carried out a new hazard assessment for gas pollution from eruption at the end of January. The new assessment is based on the gradual decreased intensity of the volcanic eruption since October, seasonal weather conditions and regular monitoring of gas pollution at the eruption site. A model for weather conditions in the area over the last 10 years and given values of SO2 was also used.
The risk map that now comes into effect is based on weather conditions in February until May and will be revised again before the summer.
Read more: Why is the new Holuhraun lava field now growing up instead of to the sides?
Gas pollution from the volcanic eruption may even reach high levels outside the restricted area and for that reason the outer limits of the hazard area have not been changed.
The hazard assessment for flood and volcanic ash are still valid. Those who travel inside the hazard area close to the restricted area are encouraged to be cautious, take proper protective measurements and to be fully aware of the latest gas dispersion forecast published on IMO’S web site.
The Civil Protection reports that monitoring of the volcanic gas pollution over the last few months shows that severe gas pollution can occur over Vatnajökull glacier from Flæður alluvial plain, over Kverkfjöll mountains and to the south and east from those areas across the glacier.
A specific hazard assessment for glacial outburst flood, jökulhlaup, in Jökulsárgljúfur canyons is being carried out. That area is still closed to all traffic.
Hazard assessment for the eruption in Holuhraun and the unrest in Bárðarbunga is under constant revision and may be changed summarily.
Read more: The new lava field is engulfing highland roads and signs
Read more: The black lava field is clearly visible from orbit
Strict rules apply to the areas closed to traffic. The closed area around the eruption site is demarcated by lines drawn sequentially between the points listed in the table here.
