Iceland warming up again - quakes swarming

  • Thread starter Thread starter davenn
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Iceland is experiencing increased seismic activity, with a swarm of earthquakes near Grindavík indicating a potential volcanic eruption. Authorities have evacuated the town and closed roads as magma approaches the surface, raising concerns for local infrastructure, including the popular Blue Lagoon and geothermal power stations. Recent data shows significant ground deformation, with cracks appearing in the earth and a magma corridor extending towards the Atlantic Ocean. Experts suggest that multiple small eruptions may be preferable to a single large one, as they could release built-up pressure more gradually. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing monitoring and updates expected as events unfold.
davenn
Science Advisor
Gold Member
2024 Award
Messages
9,699
Reaction score
11,496
Iceland warming up again - quakes swarming

 
  • Wow
Likes pinball1970
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
It would be really sad if the Blue Lagoon was destroyed with lava flows
Not to mention the thermal power station and the town of Grindavik
Am pleased i got there earlier this year

An update video....

 
  • Wow
  • Informative
Likes pinball1970, Astronuc and berkeman
Yikes.
 
Another video from a geologist with more seismic data.

 
  • Wow
  • Love
  • Like
Likes pinball1970, Astronuc and davenn
DaveE said:
Another video from a geologist with more seismic data.



thanks, yes, more info is surfacing every day

It really looks like a possibility of an eruption a bit further to the SW of the ones of the last 3 years
 
It looks like they shut down the Blue Lagoon resort now, because the earthquakes are increasing...

1699640727798.png

https://apnews.com/article/blue-lag...t-attraction-96b8fb04f289d261abde82751fdd1ae5
 
Significant damage to roads around Grindavik.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...-to-concerns-of-volcanic-eruption/vi-AA1jNezZ

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...y-due-to-volcanic-eruption-threat/vi-AA1jN9Qs

https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night
Since the morning of November 11th, seismic activity related to the magma intrusion remains fairly constant. Since midnight November12th, around 1000 earthquakes have been recorded within the dyke, and all of them have been below M3.0 in magnitude. The most seismic activity has been located in the region north of Grindavík. Most of the earthquakes are at a depth of 3-5km corresponding to the lower part of the dyke intrusion.

GPS measurements covering the past 24 hours show that deformation associated with the dyke intrusion that formed on Friday, November 10th has slowed. This can be an indication that magma is moving closer to the surface, new models will be run as soon as new data comes in to update the model.

It was a joint assessment from the meeting, based on the latest data, that there is scope for temporary measures under the control of the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management to collect necessities for the residents and attend to urgent errands in Grindavík and the surrounding area.

Swarm of earthquakes in SW Iceland, west of Grundavik, including Mag 5 off the coast.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000la6d/executive

M 5.0 - 9 km SW of Grindavík, Iceland​

  • 2023-11-10 18:09:00 (UTC)
  • 63.773°N 22.554°W
  • 10.0 km depth
  • Interactive Map
 

Attachments

  • Earthquakes_SW_Iceland(5Mag_blue).png
    Earthquakes_SW_Iceland(5Mag_blue).png
    64.6 KB · Views: 114
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes pinball1970 and davenn
I'm not a geologist, but isn't it better to have multiple small earthquakes and eruptions ands release the energy that way than to have one big one?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I'm not a geologist, but isn't it better to have multiple small earthquakes and eruptions ands release the energy that way than to have one big one?
I think it's more that the earthquakes are indicative of a magma chamber close to the surface.

Magma is continuing its approach to the town, prompting authorities to order an evacuation. The roads leading to Grindavik are currently closed, with inhabitants of the southwest portions being the first to leave. The Icelandic Civil Defense Agency emphasizes that this evacuation is purely precautionary.

Recent reports indicate that the magma tunnel has reached the town and crossed the coastline. It is now expanding under the sea. The Icelandic Meteorological Office predicts an eruption near Sundhnjúkagígar, north of Grindavik, could occur soon.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...wn-as-a-volcano-prepares-to-erupt/ar-AA1jM1Ge

It's not just a single volcanic vent, but a very long miles/km fissure that may rupture, i.e., a magma intrusion erupting over miles, and possibly through the town of Grindavik. Of course, lava is flowing from the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which one of 6 volcanic systems in the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The artlcle emphasizes that the location of the Fagradalsfjall volcano was dormant for nearly 800 years. Since 2021, the volcanic system has erupted twice, and seismic activity has spread over a larger area, and in the village of Gridavik. There is some mention of uplifting of the ground, but I don't know the extent (breadth) of the uplift. Someone mentioned 3 inches (7.6 cm), but it could be more or less depending on location.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes difalcojr, pinball1970, davenn and 1 other person
  • #10
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...cuates-ahead-of-possible-eruption/vi-AA1jMT1jAn interesing perspective on Greenland and Iceland.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/iceland-comes-from-greenland/vi-AA1jLXxu

So, Iceland sits over a geologic hotspot in the earth's crust/mantle, over which Greenland passed millions of years ago. As I understand it, Iceland sits on the mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is the boundary between the North Amercian Plate and the Eurasia Plate. The mid-Atlantic Ridge is a "divergent or constructive plate boundary", which means the two plates are moving apart, and magma occasionally rises to the surface, as in the case of Iceland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_Ridge#/media/File:Iceland_Mid-Atlantic_Ridge_map.svg

Islands form along the ridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_Ridge#Islands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_Ridge#Iceland
The submarine section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge close to southwest Iceland is known as the Reykjanes Ridge. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs through Iceland where the ridge is also known as the Neovolcanic Zone. In the north of Iceland the Tjörnes Fracture Zone connects Iceland to the Kolbeinsey Ridge.

I suppose some additional information/updating is forthcoming as events unfold. Ostensibly, Iceland is growing - getting wider (east-west), as well as vertically.Edit/update: https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...-over-threat-of-volcanic-eruption/vi-AA1jQrPb
 
Last edited:
  • #11
A 15-kilometer- (nine-mile-) long magma corridor now stretches from just northwest of Grindavík into the Atlantic Ocean, according to the Civil Protection Agency, which used models built from data collected in the area on Saturday.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/volcanic-fears-river-magma-cuts-073735840.html

Fissures have opened up around Grindavik. There is concern about SO2 being released into the air around Grindavik.

Edit/update:
Icelandic officials have evacuated the town of Grindavik, warning that a volcanic eruption is imminent. Cracks have appeared in the earth there, snaking under buildings, splitting streets and pouring steam into the air. And while magma hasn’t yet bubbled to the surface, experts say it probably will soon.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weat...d-volcano-grindavik-reykjanes-fagradalsfjall/
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Wow
Likes davenn and nsaspook
  • #12

Volcanic Iceland is rumbling again as magma rises − a geologist explains eruptions in the land of fire and ice

https://theconversation.com/volcani...-eruptions-in-the-land-of-fire-and-ice-217671

Radar satellite data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office show that a broad area around Grindavík sank by about 3 feet (1 meter) over 10 days, and the GPS station in town moved about 3 feet (1 meter) to the southeast with respect to the North American plate from Oct. 28 to Nov. 9. Large cracks have broken streets and houses in Grindavík.

The Grindavík dike appeared to have reached within about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) of the surface by Nov. 14 and could soon reach the surface.
Where the lava reaches the surface is the concern aside from the ongoing seismic activity. In a figure showing the rise and fall of the land, Grindavik is east of the land that had the greatest level of subsidence. Interesting there are red spots in the purple that would indicate rising locations is an area that mostly subsided. Or, could that be noise? A ridge east of Grindavik has risen.

Iceland derives 30% of its electricity from geothermal sources that use underground heat to drive turbines and produce power.

A hydrothermal plant called Svartsengi, near Grindavík, uses the underground heat to provide hot water for several thousand homes plus 75 megawatts of electricity.
. . .

That power plant is also part of the reason the Blue Lagoon is so popular. When the power plant was built in 1976, the plan was to discharge its still hot wastewater into an adjacent low area, expecting that it would seep into the ground. However, the geothermal water was loaded with dissolved silica, which turned to minerals when the water cooled, creating an impermeable layer. A small lake began to form.

Because of its high silica content, the water in this lake is a spectacular blue color that inspired the creation of the geothermal spa. The Blue Lagoon is now one of the top tourist attractions in the country.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and davenn
  • #14
My wife and I visited last year and became friends with a hiking guide. He sent us some wild photos of roads totally wrecked. Fingers crossed for our Iceland friends!
 
  • Like
  • Care
Likes pinball1970, davenn and Astronuc
  • #15
Greg Bernhardt said:
Fingers crossed for our Iceland friends!
I think they are all evacuated from the danger zone now, but their homes are still at risk, unfortunately.
 
  • Wow
  • Like
Likes pinball1970, davenn and Greg Bernhardt
  • #16
Some uplifting north and west of Grindavik may indicates a rise in magma.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...rise-radar-images-eruption-latest/ar-AA1kiDYZ

Using radar imagery taken over the weekend, the Icelandic Met Office said there had been a "significant crustal uplift" near Svartsengi, a geothermal hotspot on a southwestern cape on the island, near the capital Reykjavik, which was "indicative of a deep inflation" taking place. The ground has moved upwards by as much as three centimeters.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and davenn
  • #17
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and berkeman
  • #18
Iceland eruption has started.

 
  • Wow
Likes pinball1970
  • #19
DaveE said:
Iceland eruption has started.
Why is the datestamp on the video now in 2023, but in the audio the person says "here, listen to this audio from 2022"?
 
  • #20
berkeman said:
Why is the datestamp on the video now in 2023, but in the audio the person says "here, listen to this audio from 2022"?
IDK, not my live stream, dude. Ask Shawn? Maybe they want you to listen to audio from 2022?
 
  • #21
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Wow
Likes davenn, pinball1970 and Astronuc
  • #22
That's impressive. The eruption fissure is about 2.5 miles (4 km) long. Apparently, where the lava will flow is not yet clear, but it could threaten Grindavik and the nearby power station.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/world/europe/iceland-volcano-eruption-earthquakes.html
The location of the fissure, which is some 2.5 miles long and growing quickly, is not far from the Svartsengi Power Plant and the town of Grindavík, which was evacuated last month because of heightened seismic activity, leading to concerns than an eruption was likely.

In the initial assessment Monday night, volcanologists had said that the eruption had occurred in one of the worst possible locations, posing a significant and immediate threat to both the evacuated town and the geothermal power plant.

But after volcanologists had a chance to fly over the site of the eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula, the immediate situation did not appear as dire as initially feared, though the size of the eruption was larger than anticipated and the direction of the lava’s flow still unpredictable.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #23
 
  • Like
Likes Astronuc, DaveE and OmCheeto
  • #24
Last edited:
  • #25

Iceland Volcano Update: New Eruption Warning Issued​

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...pdate-new-eruption-warning-issued/ar-AA1m92RN

A horizontal intrusion of magma—around 6 miles in diameter—has been building under the peninsula since November 10, and is thought to be channeling magma into a vertical intrusion—estimated to be around 9.3 miles long—near the coastal fishing town of Grindavik.

Swarms of seismic activity led to anticipation that a volcanic event was set to occur, with magma likely propagating to the surface through the vertical dike. That occurred on Monday, December 18, with lava shooting up to 650 feet into the air from five fissures in the initial phase of the eruption.

Ben Edwards, an American volcanologist who has visited the Reykjanes Peninsula multiple times, previously told Newsweek that the eruption could mark the start of over a century of volcanic activity in the region.

His remarks came after a leading Icelandic volcanologist told Newsweek that after a dormant period, the activity leading up to the eruption could mark the start of an "intense" period of "rifting and volcanism" on the peninsula.

Iceland could be growing. I wonder of the volcanism will propagate northward as well as southward.
 
  • #26

Looks like a SCi-FI planet you just crash landed on.
 
  • Like
Likes dlgoff and Astronuc
  • #27
It’s here again. Eruption started a few hours ago, much closer to Grindavík this time, with the first fissure actually cutting directly through the lava barrier they’d built over the last two months, and a second fissure opening right next to the edge of town. Reports seem to indicate that there’s been another 70-80 centimeters of layers displacement under the town as well.

Doesn’t look very promising for the town right now.

Edit: forgot to add the video.

 
  • Like
  • Care
  • Sad
Likes pinball1970, berkeman and Astronuc
  • #28
Flyboy said:
Doesn’t look very promising for the town right now.

In the last part of the video, it looks like a small fissure is opening within 100 m or closer to the northern border of the town. The narrator mentions that someone fell into a fissure, but was not found!

An eruptionstarted at 7:57 UTC

The fissureopening is southeast of Hagafell mountain.

Thesouthern most part of the fissure is about 900 m from the town of Grindavík.

The openingis south of lava flow deflection barriers that are being built north ofGrindavík. Lava is now flowing towards the town.
Ref: https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night

I'm wondering if the sub-surface lava is pushing southward, or a fissure/fault is simply opening or 'unzipping' toward Grindavik.
 
  • #29
Astronuc said:
The narrator mentions that someone fell into a fissure, but was not found!
Yeah, contractor working on backfilling a fissure. He was using a soil compactor and the ground opened up beneath him. They spent three days trying to find him and weren’t successful. They did, however, find out the fissures at the surface are actually quite sizable underneath and issued evacuation orders effective Monday. Looks like they were a little bit late.
Astronuc said:
I'm wondering if the sub-surface lava is pushing southward, or a fissure/fault is simply opening or 'unzipping' toward Grindavik.
There’s evidence for both. Best hypothesis right now is that the November 10th dike has been reactivated by fresh magma intrusion. That one is believed to have extended out under the ocean but they can’t confirm it.

The site Grindavík is built on is known to have at least one sizable fracture through it, and if memory serves, it’s from an eruption in the area in the 1300s. 1950s era aerial photography seems to imply that they backfilled at least one pretty significant surface fissure, and it seems that the same fissure activated in November during that ground movement crisis. They’re pretty confident that the dike is running through that weak spot, although the current surface vents of the eruption seem to be displaced from that fissure. I’m curious to see what the Icelandic Met Office has to say.

https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night

Page will update with official reports from the IMO as they give press briefings. Given the dynamic situation, it can be pretty far behind what’s actually happening at the moment, but the graphics showing activity and locations are quite useful.
 
  • #30
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs right through Iceland, and it seems to fork east of Reykjavik, with a western branch running along the Reykjanes peninsula, which seems to have multiple faults or intrusions, including one that passes through Grindavik.

https://geologictimepics.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/iceland2geomapplates.jpg

From Comments on the figure:
New material erupts in the rift zones as they pull apart, separating the two major tectonic plates. In Iceland there’s a third microplate between the two rifts. The process continues through time, creating volcanic activity with ages somewhat symmetrical about each of the rifts. From the map, you can also see that most of Iceland’s big thermal areas lie within the rift zones.

Ref: https://geologictimepics.com/2018/0...-atlantic-rift-and-some-other-geology-photos/

At 1500 local time, it appears lava has reached some houses.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-67973655

On the BBC page, there is a comment (1400 local): New fissure opens just north of Grindavik, with lava 50m from town
That would be the one I cited above 100 m or closer. So, it was closer - 50 m.

By 1430 local time, it looks like lava from the fissure 50 m from the town had reach nearby houses..

The BBC live stream shows the fissure near the town. Within one hour, the lava had read houses on the edge of town. Two images are from 1406 and 1505 showing how quickly the situation changes.
 

Attachments

  • BBC_Live_Grindavik(1406,14Jan2024).png
    BBC_Live_Grindavik(1406,14Jan2024).png
    77.9 KB · Views: 121
  • BBC_Live_Grindavik(1505,14Jan2024).png
    BBC_Live_Grindavik(1505,14Jan2024).png
    77.8 KB · Views: 73
Last edited:
  • #31
Watching a live camera right now and there’s clearly burning structures at the edge of town.

That said, the lava barrier is actually pretty damn effective. The big fissure is mostly outputting uphill from the barrier and it’s flowing along it. There is some activity downhill from the barrier, and it’s definitely flowing towards town, but not nearly as much as the big flow along the barrier.
 
  • #32
As we've been reporting, two fissures opened today near the Icelandic town of Grindavik - both spewing lava.

The first formed early this morning around 1km (0.6 miles) from the town. You can see it at the top of the image.

Authorities say the lava flow from this fissure had largely stabilised before the second opened, around noon.

This fissure was much closer to Grindavik - less than 100m (320 feet) away.

The lava from that fissure has since spilled into the town, setting houses on fire.
Ref: BBC reporting from the area.
 
  • #33
 
  • Wow
Likes pinball1970
  • #34

Jan 14 Eruption in Iceland: Livestream with Geologist Shawn Willsey​

 
  • Informative
  • Like
Likes Astranut and pinball1970
  • #35

The beginning of the Vent Opening Near Icelandic Homes
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and Astronuc
  • #36
Grindavik's mayor, Fannar Jonasson, said one of the fissures was only metres from his fence and he thought that he would be among those to lose their homes.

“Then it happened that the lava stopped flowing there so [the house] escaped, as well as the others who were there in danger,” he told RUV.
From BBC live stream near Grindavik, Iceland

Apparently, today the lava stopped flow, but it could start again. I think there is a concern that a lava channel runs under the city, and it does appear (from the map) that Grindavik is directly over a fissure or fault through which lava could flow.
 

Attachments

  • BBC_Live_15Jan_Fissures(Icelandic Met Office).png
    BBC_Live_15Jan_Fissures(Icelandic Met Office).png
    103.7 KB · Views: 96
  • #37
Somewhat related to the lava chamber/volume in the Reykjanes Peninsular in SE Iceland, Iceland scientists want to drill a hole straight into a reservoir of molten magma about a mile underground.

https://www.businessinsider.com/ice...source-kmt-geothermal-energy-limitless-2024-1

The Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) aims to create the world's first research center above a magma chamber to monitor, sample, and test the molten rock in situ for the first time.

Apparently, the group bored into a magma chamber in N Iceland at the Krafla fissure.
 
  • #38
Iceland eruption confirms faultline has reawakened: Expert
https://phys.org/news/2024-01-iceland-eruption-faultline-reawakened-expert.html

A volcanic eruption that has engulfed homes in an Icelandic fishing port confirms that a long-dormant faultline running under the country has woken up, threatening to belch out lava with little warning for years to come, an expert warned on Tuesday.
Sunday's eruption was the fifth in fewer than three years on the Reykjanes peninsula, which had not previously seen one in centuries.

"After eight centuries of a relative break and a complete cessation of surface activity, we have entered a new episode of plate separation which could last several years—possibly decades," volcanologist Patrick Allard from France's Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris told AFP.

I had wondered if the new eruption close to town indicated a potential further instrusion. If the plates are separating, then that fissure may be likely to extend southwestward.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
  • #39
Astronuc said:
At 1500 local time, it appears lava has reached some houses.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-67973655
The BBC page cited was live-streaming video of the lava flowing from the small fissure near Grindavik. The updated page shows the aftermath. Lava reached three homes on the north border of Grindavik; one home was newly constructed and not yet occupied. The whole town (fo about 3800 people) had been evacuated.
The main fissure further NE of the small fissure was mostly on the other side of a 3m berm/dam that diverted the lava away from Grindavik. An underground lava channel broke the surface near Grindavik. Concerns have been expressed that the fissure or fault could breach futher into the town, which would be catastrophic.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...n-was-a-black-day-for-the-country/ar-AA1n0iW9

The lava has already caused major damage and severed the pipes that took hot water from the nearby power station into the town. Homes now have no heat, meaning that it is uninhabitable given freezing temperatures this time of year.

The volcanic eruption is Iceland’s fifth in three years, and second in less than a month. An eruption on Dec. 18 saw semi-molten rock projected into the air from a 2.5 miles long crack near Grindavik. Evacuated locals returned to their homes on Dec. 22 when volcanic activity had ceased.

Since then, emergency workers have been erecting a 3-meter (9.84-ft.) defensive walls around the town but they were not complete at the time of the second eruption. Jakobsdottir said the barriers were "serving their purpose" and had redirected the flow of lava. He added that the new fissure had, however, bypassed these defenses and made its way into the town.
 
  • Informative
Likes pinball1970
  • #40
Here we go again!


At 5:30 this morning an intense seismic activity started north-east of mt. Sýlingarfell. Around 30 minutes later, a volcanic eruption started at the site.

The eruptive fissure lengthened both towards north and south during the first minutes.

The first images from the Icelandic Coast Guard's surveillance flight suggest that the eruption takes place at a similar location as the eruption on the 18th of December 2023. The eruptive fissure is approximately 3 km long, from mt. Sundhnúkur in the south and stretches towards the eastern part of mt. Stóra-Skógfell. Lava flows mostly towards west at the moment and the flow seems to be slightly less than at the start of the 18th of December eruption.



The lava fountains reach about 50-80 m height and the volcanic plume rises about 3 km above the eruptive fissure.”

https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night
 
  • Informative
Likes pinball1970
  • #41
Addendum to the above post, from one of my favorite channels on Iceland.

 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and Astranut
  • #42

Iceland Feb 8 eruption Threatens Blue Lagoon: Livestream w/ Geologist Shawn Willsey​

 
  • Like
Likes Astranut and pinball1970
  • #44
Astronuc said:
I wonder if this will be a monthly occurrence.
I have just watched Shawn Willsey going through the updates (thanks @Astranut !)
The GPS data suggests a trend of rise of land again, a fourth cycle of gradual rise over time to 10-15 cm, eruption, sink, then the process starts again.
As a non geologist/volcanologist I agree with V50, lots of small "manageable" earth quakes rather than a cataclysmic event.

Issue is the close proximity of the power plant to the fault and natural hot water pipeline that has already been breached.
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Likes Astranut and Astronuc
  • #45
Astronuc said:
North of Grindavik but just east and near Mount Sýlingarfell and town of Svartsengi, which is west of Sýlingarfell. The lava will go wherever gravity and the land allows it.

https://apnews.com/article/iceland-volcano-eruption-1938ec2da163f6d2f5dcdd553aea812d

I wonder if this will be a monthly occurrence.
Unless the influx of fresh magma stops, yes, it’s going to be a cyclical event. The folks in charge of the response are starting to realize just how much of a problem this is going to be. Between the aforementioned hot water supply interruptions, the direct threat to power generation facilities at Svartsengi, the indirect threat to the power grid due to disruptions to the aforementioned power plant… yeah, it’s not a pretty picture.
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Likes Astranut, pinball1970, Astronuc and 1 other person
  • #46
Images from space of the lava north of Grindavik
https://www.newsweek.com/iceland-volcano-update-lava-river-seen-space-1869062

An image, taken from orbit by the European Union's Copernicus' SENTINEL-2 satellite, shows the stream of lava around ten hours after the eruption began, roughly 2.5 miles (~4 km) northeast of the fishing town of Grindavík.

"The lava fountains reach about 50-80 m [164-262 feet] height and the volcanic plume rises about 3 km [1.9 miles] above the eruptive fissure."
 
  • #47
Whoever coined the term "Terre Firma" didn't know what the hell they were talking about. There is a connundrum with human settlements. Volcanoes produce wonderful soils for growing stuff, and also have the potential to wipe you out in an instant. Russian Roulette on a grand scale. Watching "Riccardi" on PBS which takes place in Naples in the 1930s, you are constantly impressed with just how close Vesuvius is to that large city. Settlements on the Big Island of Hawaii comes to mind. Even Halleakula on Maui is not extinct, only sleeping. No wonder ancients worshipped the gods that controlled volcanoes. Maybe we just shouldn't live near them in the first place.
 
  • #49
This article in phys.org gives a summary of the situation in the area.
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-unprecedented-magma-river-surged-beneath.html

The paper https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn2838

Some frightening numbers in there from the met office

-Before Thursday's eruption, 6.5 million cubic meters of magma had accumulated below the region encompassing Grindavik

-The magma flowed at 7,400 cubic meters per second (not measured before in Iceland)

-800 years of dormancy prior 2021

The hot water pipeline has been restored to the towns and airport, and the road to the blue lagoon has been repaired according to this source. He gets a little edgy and satirical but the posts are informative.

 
Last edited:
  • Wow
  • Like
Likes Astranut and Astronuc
  • #50
pinball1970 said:
This article in phys.org gives a summary of the situation in the area.
There is a link to a paper at the bottom.
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-unprecedented-magma-river-surged-beneath.html

Some frightening numbers in there from the met office

-Before Thursday's eruption, 6.5 million cubic meters of magma had accumulated below the region encompassing Grindavik

-The magma flowed at 7,400 cubic meters per second (not measured before in Iceland)

-800 years of dormancy prior 2021

The hot water pipeline has been restored to the towns and airport, and the road to the blue lagoon has been repaired according to this source. He gets a little edgy and satirical but the posts are informative.


The author of the video mentions the volcanic system near Lake Kleifarvatn in the area of Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður, or along the border with Grindavíkurbær. Is that a dormant set of volcanoes? There seems to be a ridge or two west of Kleifarvatn.

And what of Fagradalsfjall Volcano?
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970 and Astranut

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
159
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Back
Top