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The Iceland Volcano Thread

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 323 ✭✭octo


    Dyflin wrote: »
    Looking at the Yr.no model it looks like Ireland will be covered on Thursday/Friday. Is this consistent with other models and will the airports most likely be shut during this period (have a return flight Thursday evening)?

    The Met Eireann/Mace Head model looks broadly similar for thursday and friday.


  • Registered Users Posts: 61 ✭✭YESROH


    oh dear not looking so good for the sister in the states then.


  • Registered Users Posts: 777 ✭✭✭H2UMrsRobinson


    octo wrote: »
    The Met Eireann/Mace Head model looks broadly similar for thursday and friday.

    Nooooo, have a Ryanair flight to LGW on Friday evening, have got everything crossed for a sudden freak change in the wind direction

    It's our first wedding anniversary and we're meant to be going back to where we got married on Sunday for a romantic dinner...pls volcano stop being a bitch you're ruining peoples lives now..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭alibabba


    YESROH wrote: »
    oh dear not looking so good for the sister in the states then.

    Your first post ... congrats !;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    Crazy amount of earthquakes deep under the volcano yesterday which might indicate that more new magma is going to push up to the surface, perhaps opening a new rift.

    This is how it looks at the moment on the new and improved Hvolsvelli cam :

    2dayw4m.jpg


    http://eldgos.mila.is/eyjafjallajokull-fra-hvolsvelli/


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  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    Nooooo, have a Ryanair flight to LGW on Friday evening, have got everything crossed for a sudden freak change in the wind direction

    It's our first wedding anniversary and we're meant to be going back to where we got married on Sunday for a romantic dinner...pls volcano stop being a bitch you're ruining peoples lives now..

    Its not clear how that Macehead prediction lines up with the VAAC charts which restrict airspace though, at least thats what I'm hoping. Attached is a comparison of both charts from today at 6pm, a lot of it lines up, but the Macehead shape over France and the Bay of Biscay doesn't match what has been restricted.

    So we'll still have to see whats going to be restricted I guess.

    113510.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭Rougies


    Hvolsvelli cam showing some great pictures today. Seems to be getting more explosive as the day goes on...

    113514.jpg


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭DOCARCH


    Looking pretty active this afternoon alright.


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    Its a bit less active than in the past though:

    32zjmgy.jpg

    4v1ru1.jpg

    2dayw4m.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    Really ugly, dark plume at the moment. Looks like a lot of ash falling just downwind of the volcano now :

    1581mx5.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,274 ✭✭✭Orlee


    Stupid question but how are they predicting how the ash cloud will move?

    Is it just from wind predictions?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,340 ✭✭✭Nephew


    Can anyone tell me what the charts predict for late Wednesday night? Do you think the ash will cause flights from Barcelona to Dublin to be cancelled?


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    I think you'll probably be okay on Wednesday night:
    http://www.iaa.ie/files/2010/images/20100511075704_Chart%201900%20Tues%2011%20May.pdf

    The cloud looks to be heading for a sort of dispersal on Thursday if that chart is any indication (and there are no further big eruptions).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    Here is an animated ash forecast for the next 5 days :

    http://transport.nilu.no/browser/fpv?fpp=conccol_VO_1_


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    Here is an animated ash forecast for the next 5 days :

    http://transport.nilu.no/browser/fpv?fpp=conccol_VO_1_

    I REALLY hope thats true.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    MJohnston wrote: »
    I REALLY hope thats true.

    Worth checking back on though as it will probably chop and change a bit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,939 ✭✭✭goat2


    god help the icelanders
    they are covered in ash, their crops, homes and roads
    and cashstrapped


  • Registered Users Posts: 777 ✭✭✭H2UMrsRobinson


    goat2 wrote: »
    god help the icelanders
    they are covered in ash, their crops, homes and roads
    and cashstrapped

    Well said Goat, we are all on here worried about our flights and holidays when true hardship is being encountered by people at the source of all this disruption.

    Has anyone got any custard, this humble pie is a bit dry on it's own :o


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 185 ✭✭M.Pool


    andrew wrote: »
    upload it to imgur.com and post the link :)

    Thanks for that. Resolution isn't great but you can see the "glowing man"

    oKPd9.png


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    goat2 wrote: »
    god help the icelanders
    they are covered in ash, their crops, homes and roads
    and cashstrapped

    Look on the brightside, at least the ash will make their land extremely fertile in the future :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭alibabba


    Any reports of how they are actually been affected?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 115 ✭✭drymartini


    141_Oscar_Mike

    Its amazing that we can watch it on the webcams, but realtime video certainly puts what you see in a new perspective.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 185 ✭✭M.Pool


    alibabba wrote: »
    Any reports of how they are actually been affected?

    This article was in the Irishtimes weekender. Farms near the volcano are covered with ash, livestock have to be kept indoors and they're running out of fodder. On the plus side they are making some money charging tourists to bring them close to Enya.

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0508/1224269933957.html


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    MJohnston wrote: »
    Look on the brightside, at least the ash will make their land extremely fertile in the future :)

    How long does it take for sterile ash to become fertile soil???

    edit: this long
    Options depending on ash thickness and season
    Based on observations from Mount St. Helens (1980), Ruapehu (1995-6) and others. Possibly most applicable to temperate countries.

    Thin burial (< 5 mm ash)
    Impacts of ash negligible.
    Rehabilitation of the land not necessary.
    In short-term, ash is washed and consolidates to 1-2 mm.
    Increased supplementary feed may be required if stock off their feed.

    Moderate burial (25 - 30 mm ash)
    Pastures destroyed from ash burning, rehabilitation is similar to the 25-50 mm scenarios; otherwise, rehabilitation will be similar to that after a severe dry period.
    Pastures can be re-established either through conventional cultivation or undersowing.
    Where ash is up to 25 mm thick, incorporation of the ash through ploughing is the most suitable method.
    Hill country rehabilitation will be slower, as material cannot be incorporated into the soil profile.
    Rainfall will improve the rate of recovery as the ash is eroded.
    Oversowing with fertilizer will be necessary, due to the inherent lower fertility of the soils and also where pastures are weakened/destroyed by the ash.
    Extra supplements are required to maintain stock numbers until pastures recover.
    Greenfeed crops and high producing annual ryegrasses could be established where the eruption occurred late summer, to provide increased feed in the winter until permanent pastures could be established.
    It is important to maintain farm operations, especially in terms of providing good quality water and maintaining farm machinery.
    The costs of re-establishing pastures after an eruption are similar to a severe drought.

    Moderate burial (25 - 30 mm ash)
    Rehabilitation will be greatly influenced by the time of year of the ash fall and the nature of the ash.

    Late winter/early spring in temperate climates

    Most critical period for dairy, sheep, and beef (pasture covers are low and supplementary feed has largely been used).
    Management options will be to mob stock up, move them through longer pasture areas of the farm to shake/remove ash off the plants. These areas can then be grazed with some brought supplementary feed such as meal and hay if available.
    It will be difficult to procure sufficient grazing to de-stock affected farms at this time of the year. However, some de-stocking of the farm may be possible by sending stock to the works or for grazing in other parts of the country.
    Paddocks that had been intended for cropping or pasture renewal could be cultivated and sown in fast growing annual crops, including annual ryegrasses, feed oats and barley.
    Soil fertility is likely to decrease in the short term, requiring higher fertilizer inputs but not necessarily for all elements.
    Summer/autumn in temperate climates

    Management options are eased by the ability to de-stock lambs, prime cattle and cull dairy cows to the works. Reserves of hay or silage are at the greatest and greenfeed crops such as corn, choumollier or swedes will be of sufficient maturity to supply a substantial amount of feed.
    Good quality water is essential, increased water pump maintenance and cleaning of troughs will be required for farms on deep well bores and reticulated systems.
    Farms taking supplies from streams or dams, provision of good quality water for both human and stock consumption will be more difficult. Outside assistance may be required in the short-term (until streams clear and dam water can be tested clear of toxic chemicals).
    Rehabilitation of any farm will be dependent on the financial resources of the farmer and the robustness of the farm business.

    Thick burial (50-100 mm ash)
    Rehabilitation will be influenced by the farm contour, availability of suitable machinery, finance and human resources.
    Ash does not dissolve or percolate into the soil profile, therefore tillage with high inputs of fertilizer is required (providing a medium for establishing ryegrass/white clover pastures).
    Ash falls of 50 mm will have serious financial implications in the year of the ash fall and also the following season.

    Land able to be cultivated

    Ploughing as deep as 20 cm (8 in) gives best results, as the ash layer is mixed with underlying soil. Incorporation of ash will still result in changes to the soil characteristics, such as greater soil moisture, lower fertility and permeability. Large scale cultivation will be expensive.
    Costs include re-grassing, fertilizer and high machinery maintenance costs due to the abrasive nature of the ash increasing wear and tear.
    Rehabilitation of land affected by ash is similar to development of sand country where the initial requirement is establishment of any species tolerant of the conditions to stabilize the ash and build up fertility.
    Re-establishment of pastoral species, dependent on the nature of the ash. With very acidic ash, liming could be required, along with high fertilizer inputs to create a soil medium, conducive to pastoral growth.
    Initially, acid tolerant species may need to be planted and species more tolerant of severe conditions. For example, Marram grass, lupins, Yorkshire Fog and Lotus.
    These species tend to be lower yielding than the existing ryegrass and clover pastures. Once soil fertility and organic matter levels increase, more productive species may be established.
    Land not able to be cultivated

    Rehabilitation will be a slow and costly process.
    Oversowing of low fertility species with fertilizer inputs may be required.
    It may be un-economic for land to resume pastoral use; other land use may be appropriate.
    Rehabilitation will be dependent on the financial resources of the farmer, which may be extremely limited after the financial toll of the eruption.
    Stock

    May require de-stocking of the land for at least 6 months.
    Rehabilitation will require re-stocking, but may not be physically possible where the eruption devastates a large area.
    Slaughtering of stock may be the only option, which will result in a loss of valuable stock of high genetic merit.
    Until the ash consolidates, quality water for stock will be scarce.
    Extra expense will be incurred in maintaining water pumps (affected by the abrasive nature of the ash).
    The physical removal of the ash from buildings, yards, roadways will be required. See removal methods.

    Very thick burial (100 - 300 mm ash)
    Rehabilitation extremely difficult and likely to take generations.
    Soil sterilized below ash.
    Ash too deep to be incorporated using conventional cultivation techniques, including ploughing, discing or rotatilling.
    Restoration dependent on removal of the ash layer or a much longer time frame of re-colonization of the ash layer.
    Re-colonizing agents need to be adapted to harsh environments and will vary with climate.
    Possible re-colonizing agents are Lupins and Lotus species (that fix nitrogen) along with Marram grass.
    Initially, restoring basic facilities such as roads, water supply, power, and effluent systems are required before restoration can occur.
    Immediate requirement, relocation of the affected residents and provision of adjustment programs.

    Extremely thick burial (> 300 mm ash)
    Land un-farmable for many generations.
    Rehabilitation at an extreme cost.
    Medium-term (20 to 40 years), rehabilitation unlikely to be economic.
    Long-term, alternative land uses need to be explored (i.e. forestry).
    Immediate requirement, relocation of the affected residents and provision of adjustment programs.


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    How long does it take for sterile ash to become fertile soil???

    Ah you're talking thousands of years at least, I think, but I was just joking. Once the ashfall stops though, it could be as little as a year before the soil recovers enough.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle


    are there any updates as to the intensity of the volcano?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    bamboozle wrote: »
    are there any updates as to the intensity of the volcano?

    Cloud covered since last night so cannot be observed but clouds are due to clear later today. It did get slightly more explosive yesterday evening but no major changes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,577 ✭✭✭dak


    bamboozle wrote: »
    are there any updates as to the intensity of the volcano?

    No major change !


    sitelogo-eng.gif?v=090930
    Go to site map.

    Eruption in Iceland - frequently asked questions



    Update on activity

    Eruption in Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

    Conditions - 11 May 2010 18:45

    The grey eruption plume is heading southsoutheast and it’s hight is similar to previous days. Observations from air and web cameras show similar activity to yesterday. In the afternoon there was an increase in explosive activity, giving darker and slightly higher plume.
    No major changes are seen in the activity, but small variation can still be expected. Presently there are no indications that the eruption is about to end.
    For further information, see the status report issued collectively by the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the Institute of Earth Sciences at 15:00.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭alibabba


    bamboozle wrote: »

    Positive news !

    All i see here is another typical example of profit before people.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle


    alibabba wrote: »
    Positive news !

    All i see here is another typical example of profit before people.

    i agree and disagree with you, but i'd be hopeful that risks would not be taken with people's lives just to ensure the airlines make a few bucks.

    the longer the disruption continues the greater the examination into the manner in which airspace is being closed/regulated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭alibabba


    The only ones that pressurised how the method of measuring ash content in airspace were of course the airlines. And they werent doing this out of concerns for passenger safety.
    I accept how this must be hurting them, but feic it, as already mention on this thread way back, we fly too much anyway.

    The people in charge of keep airspace open/closed can only rely on the information thats out there, if the technology needs to be upgraded to make more accurate decisions so be it. But until then, if there is any Ash in the airspace, they shouldnt be tempted to chance the extra yard here and there just because there is pressure been applied by cash starved airlines / and soon to be tourism hit countries.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,939 ✭✭✭goat2


    How long does it take for sterile ash to become fertile soil???

    edit: this long
    looking at the picture a few posts back, we can see nothing but grey and black

    these people are in bigger trouble financially than us, then all this deep ploughing and incorperating other substances into the soil is going to cost, also the animals need food now and this winter coming, there will be very little or nothing, we are so lucky that it is only flying that is effected, we still have boats, and have our land fine and green,
    these people are in an auful position
    smoke dust ash covering everything, the crops they eat, veg, fruit, even their meat products are effected


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    goat2 wrote: »
    looking at the picture a few posts back, we can see nothing but grey and black

    these people are in bigger trouble financially than us, then all this deep ploughing and incorperating other substances into the soil is going to cost, also the animals need food now and this winter coming, there will be very little or nothing, we are so lucky that it is only flying that is effected, we still have boats, and have our land fine and green,
    these people are in an auful position
    smoke dust ash covering everything, the crops they eat, veg, fruit, even their meat products are effected

    At least, though, the majority of the ash has fallen not on land or on land not used by anyone, as most of it has blown away from the country itself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,939 ✭✭✭goat2


    i would like to see an up to date aireal view of the whold of iceland, so that we could see the damage first
    ash is billowing a long time now, which it is covering thicker all the time


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,341 ✭✭✭El Horseboxo


    It's gonna take a plane crash before these selfish bastards realize it is a real danger flying into airspace where they may or may not be ash. If there's any risk you don't risk it. Simple.


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭DOCARCH


    People in Iceland are somewhat used to it as a volcano errupts on average every 5 years in Iceland, the only reason we are hearing so much about is that it's effecting air travel in Europe.

    Only a very small area of the country (a rural/agricultural area) is affected by this erruption (so far) as most of the ash is blown out to sea. As far as I am aware Reykjavik airport has only had to close for a couple of hours since the start of this episode.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    Regarding ashfall in Iceland, it's really only areas fairly close to and downwind of the volcano that are getting affected by it at the moment. This map shows >1mm ashfall predictions :

    http://en.vedur.is/media/jar/myndsafn/large/VORIS_2_0_1b_aska_20100511.jpg


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭DOCARCH


    Hopefully skies will clear soon so we can see what's coming out today.

    Looks from satelite - http://www.sat24.com/Eyjafjallajokull-volcano.aspx - that plume/ash has now changed direction and is now drifting south east from the volcano (directly towards Ireland).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    DOCARCH wrote: »
    Hopefully skies will clear soon so we can see what's coming out today.

    Looks from satelite - http://www.sat24.com/Eyjafjallajokull-volcano.aspx - that plume/ash has now changed direction and is now drifting south east from the volcano (directly towards Ireland).

    http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/cloudcover/

    Should have clear skies soon based on that.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle


    http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/cloudcover/
    Should have clear skies soon based on that.

    IAA's latest release says things are going to ease compared to the last few days, looking at the above link, there seem to be far fewer earthquakes recorded in the last 24 hours compared to previous days

    http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    DOCARCH wrote: »
    Looks from satelite - http://www.sat24.com/Eyjafjallajokull-volcano.aspx - that plume/ash has now changed direction and is now drifting south east from the volcano (directly towards Ireland).

    Yep, you can clearly see the change here too before and after the high level clouds pass over Iceland, if you loop it over 24 hours.

    http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/IPPS/html/MSG/RGB/ASH/ICELAND/index.htm


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    Ash forecast looks bad for us on 15th, 16th & 17th if this comes off....

    http://transport.nilu.no/browser/fpv?fpp=conccol_VO_1_


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Flew straight over the bugger yesterday morning.
    Kind of ironic ...flying from Cuba all the way up the American east coast and over Greenland to avoid the ash cloud and then flying round the back of the volcano so close that you can actually see it from the plane.
    113682.jpg

    The pictures were taken (by good lady wife) from the central aisle (in a Boing 767 at cruising altitude) peeking through a far away window, so not great quality ..but you get the idea

    113683.jpg

    113685.jpg


    Bonus non-active Islandic volcano pic (don't ask me which one though :D)
    113690.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle


    Ash forecast looks bad for us on 15th, 16th & 17th if this comes off....

    http://transport.nilu.no/browser/fpv?fpp=conccol_VO_1_

    the latest report from the IAA seems to be considering the ash to be less of an issue for the next while


    The Irish Aviation Authority has said that all Irish airports will remain open until further notice.
    The Authority says that a statement will be issued if any volcanic ash threat to Irish airspace emerges in the coming days.
    Intending passengers are still being advised to regularly check their airline's website in advance of going to the airport.
    Advertisement

    Speaking on RTÉ's [URL="javascript:showRadioPlayer("/news/morningireland/player.html?20100512,2751914,2751914,real,209")"]Morning Ireland[/URL], Brian Flynn of Eurocontrol said that based on its experience, the ash cloud should not continue to cause massive flight disruptions in the short-term.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    bamboozle wrote: »
    the latest report from the IAA seems to be considering the ash to be less of an issue for the next while


    Hopefully. But if that forecast came off I'm sure there would be disruption.


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭DOCARCH


    Now that cloud has cleared, plume is looking impressive this evening!

    http://eldgos.mila.is/eyjafjallajokull-fra-hvolsvelli/

    New plume heading straight for Scotland.

    http://metoffice.com/aviation/vaac/data/VAG_1273683706.png


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭DOCARCH


    Watch in HD.

    That's great. Hard to appreciate when looking at webcams how quickly the volcano is ejecting stuff.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 115 ✭✭drymartini


    I'll add some more shots if the cloud behaves during your European night time tonight.
    Cheers, from the Land of the Long White Cloud downunder.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,134 ✭✭✭✭maquiladora


    For those who have been waiting for Katla to go off, perhaps you have been looking at the wrong volcano :pac: Read this....


    11. May 2010 - 08:33 Jóna Ann Pétursdóttir


    Seismic activity under Bardarbunga has scientists speculating about a possible eruption.

    Seismic activity has been ongoing in Bardarbunga in Vatnajökull for several weeks now. Bardarbunga is the largest volcano in Iceland, located in the country's largest glacier, Vatnajökull. This activity, scientists say, could suggest that the volcano is about to erupt or volcanos in that area.

    Ever since Eyjafjallajökull erupted in April there have been speculations about the volcano Katla. After an eruption in Eyjafjallajökull Katla has usually followed. There are, however, no signs that Katla is about to erupt.

    Bardarbunga in Vatnajökull on the other hand, has been showing seismic activity for over five weeks. Ari Trausti Gudmundsson geologist says that over one hundred small earthquakes have been measured under Bardarbunga and the reason could be a possible magma intrusion deep under the volcano. Ari has given the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management his findings. Gudrun Johannesdottir a project manager with the department told Pressan.is that scientists are following the activity in Bardarbunga closely.

    Omar Ragnarsson, a keen volcano enthusiast and former reporter, has also been following the activity closely and says in his blog on 12 March:
    An eruption in the northeastern part of Vatnajökull could have greater ramifications than an eruption in Eyjafjallajökull since it could lead
    to catastrophic flooding. The axle Bardarbunga-Grimsvötn is the center of the volcanic belt that runs from the southwest to the northwest of Iceland and the center of the mantle plume which is under Iceland. This mantle plume is one of the two largest in the world. The other one is
    under Hawaii. The largest earthquakes recorded this year at Bardarbunga are 3,3 and 4,0 on the Richter scale, the largest recorded since 2002. The volcano at Bardarbunga is estimated to be around 200 kilometers long and up to 25 kilometers wide. It is covered in ice. Bardarbunga has never erupted in historic times but the largest lava flow in the world stems from Bardarbunga when it erupted 8500 years ago.

    Steinunn S. Jakobsdottir, project manager with the Icelandic Met Office says the activity has been considerable in the area all this year and the IMO is keeping a close watch on the situation although there is no reason to fear an eruption just yet. However the activity shows that Bardarbunga is alive and kicking.

    There have been eruptions in that area every five years, in Gjálp 1996 and Grimsvötn 1998 and 2004. Even though there is seismic activity under Bardarbunga that doesn´t necessarily mean that Bardarbunga will erupt.
    When Gjálp erupted in 1996, for example, seismic activity had been right under Bardarbunga for some time before.


    http://www.pressan.is/News/ReadIcela...upt-in-iceland


    Its worth remembering that the only thing that links Eyjafjallajökull and Katla eruptions is historical coincidence. Katla has gone off plenty of times independent of activity at Eyjafjallajökull. And there has been no activity reported at Katla recently, unlike Bardarbunga.


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