According to scientists from the Icelandic Met Office the lava field at Holuhraun is not spreading out to the sides anymore. It is however getting thicker as the eruption is still massive, although not as intense as before.
But why has the new lava field stopped expanding horizontally and is now instead growing thicker?
According to volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson there are three reasons:
-First as the eruption has slowed down the amount of magma that reaches the surface has decreased and therefore there is less power in the lava rivers.
-Number two, the landscape around the lava field to the northwest is playing its part. At that side the new lava is meeting hills and some rock formations rising up from the plateau, which have stopped the lava flow.
-Thirdly we have the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum to the east of the lava field, that cools down the lava thus making it stack up.
Read more: The new lava field is engulfing highland roads and signs
Read more: The black lava field is clearly visible from orbit
So in effect, the new Holuhraun lava field is now framed in to the east by the river and by the higher landscape to the west and northwest.
According to scientists from the Icelandic Met Office the lava field at Holuhraun is not spreading out to the sides anymore. It is however getting thicker as the eruption is still massive, although not as intense as before.
But why has the new lava field stopped expanding horizontally and is now instead growing thicker?
According to volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson there are three reasons:
-First as the eruption has slowed down the amount of magma that reaches the surface has decreased and therefore there is less power in the lava rivers.
-Number two, the landscape around the lava field to the northwest is playing its part. At that side the new lava is meeting hills and some rock formations rising up from the plateau, which have stopped the lava flow.
-Thirdly we have the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum to the east of the lava field, that cools down the lava thus making it stack up.
Read more: The new lava field is engulfing highland roads and signs
Read more: The black lava field is clearly visible from orbit
So in effect, the new Holuhraun lava field is now framed in to the east by the river and by the higher landscape to the west and northwest.
