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A new eruption likely

According to the latest Met Office data, Magma continues accumulating under Svartsengi. A magma run or a volcanic eruption is expected in the next two to three weeks.
24.07.2024

“All our measurements and calculations indicate that the magma accumulation under Svartsengi is continuing at a steady rate,” said Michelle Maree Parks, a specialist in deformation at the Icelandic Met Office.

“It’s not unusual that we get a fluctuation in the measurements of the inflation between one day and another, and therefore it’s important to look at the overall picture from GPS measurements, satellite images, and models over a longer period. There are no indications in our data that indicate anything other than that we can expect a new magma run and even a volcanic eruption in the next two to three weeks or so.”

According to the report by the met office, around 16 million cubic meters of lava has accumilated, and it is believed that 13-19 is needed for an eruption to take place. The report also states that it is not possible to exclude the possibility of a volcanic fissure opening within Grindavík. However, it is most likely that a volcanic fissure would open up north of the town before it would open up within the town limits.

Hjördís Guðmundsdóttir, communications director of the public defence, confirms this in an interview with a news agency.

"It just involves this normal process that we know very well, when we get news from the Met Office," she says.

A new risk assessment is expected from the Met Office later today, and the level of danger will be declared by the Department of Public Safety at the same time.

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