Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Increased Seismic Activity at Iceland’s Bardarbunga Volcano Raises Eruption Concerns
On Tuesday, the Icelandic meteorological office reported over 130 earthquakes at the Bardarbunga volcano, prompting discussions about the potential for an eruption. This seismic activity is being monitored closely, with authorities taking precautionary measures by adjusting the aviation color code from green to yellow. Fortunately, Bardarbunga’s remote location in southern Iceland’s uninhabited highlands means there is currently no risk to infrastructure.
The seismic swarm lasted approximately three hours before it began to reduce. The met office emphasized that the earthquakes are indicative of increased magma accumulation beneath the volcano. In its latest statement, the office mentioned, “Earthquakes continue to be detected in the area, and it is too early to say whether the swarm will fade away.” The most significant quake recorded was a magnitude 5.1, alongside 17 other quakes of magnitude 3 or higher, including two that exceeded 4.0.
Bardarbunga’s geological features include a sizable caldera, which spans about 25 square miles and is filled with ice. This volcano is one of six situated beneath Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Should an eruption occur, particularly subglacially, there is potential for both ash clouds and flooding, as the melting ice could lead to significant water flow.
The current seismic events are viewed in a historical context; the activity has escalated in the past several months, marking the largest quake swarm since Bardarbunga’s previous eruption from 2014 to 2015, which lasted for six months. This earlier eruption created the largest basalt lava flow in Iceland in over two centuries, yet fortunately, it caused no injuries or property damage.
“Bardarbunga is unique in that it is an unusually large volcanic system, partly covered by a glacier, and several scenarios are possible,” the Icelandic meteorological office stated. The agency noted that extensive research and planning completed during the 2014–2015 eruption would prove useful in managing any future volcanic activity.
Further complicating the situation, Iceland has experienced a series of volcanic eruptions near Grindavik, a fishing village on the southwestern coast, leading to evacuations. Following the seventh eruption, evacuations extended to around 50 homes in the region, as confirmed by the country’s www.cbsnews.com