Tuesday 19 December 2023

The expected volcanic eruption has begun north of Grindavík, north of Sundhnúkur, Iceland—The event began with a powerful seismic swarm yesterday evening resulting in an eruption at 22:17. UTC: Large lava fountains were observed at the beginning of the eruption and intense seismicity

Fissure, Credit Icelandic MET Office.

After months of speculation, and an almost constant barrage of seismic activity an eruption has begun on the Reykjanes peninsula, just east of Stóra-Skógfell and the southern end just east of Sundhnúk. Below is an update from the Icelandic MET Office:
An eruption has started on the Reykjanes peninsula.The eruption is located about 4 km northeast of Grindavik. The intensity of the volcanic eruption, which started [late last night], is decreasing. This is evident from seismic and GPS measurements. The fact that the activity is decreasing already does not indicate how long the eruption will last, but rather that the eruption is reaching a state of equilibrium. 
This development has been observed at the beginning of all eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent years. The eruptive fissure is about 4 km long, with the northern end just east of Stóra-Skógfell and the southern end just east of Sundhnúk. The distance from the southern end to the edge of Grindavík is almost 3 km. The Icelandic Meteorological Office continues to monitor the activity and is in direct contact with the area's civil protection and response units. A meeting of scientists will be held [this] morning to evaluate the overnight development of the eruption. 

A volcanic fissure eruption started yesterday evening at 22:17 (December 18th) on Sundhnúkagígaröðin East of Mt. Sýlingarfell. The event began with a powerful seismic swarm at 21:00 yesterday evening resulting in an eruption at 22:17. Large lava fountains were observed at the beginning of the eruption and intense seismicity over the dike.


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