• Volcanic ash emissions at Santa Maria reach 5 km (16 000 feet) a.s.l., Guatemala

    ByRishika Yadav

    Fresh volcanic ash emissions were observed from the Santa María volcano in Guatemala on January 21, 2025. The ash clouds reached an altitude of approximately 5 km (16 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.) and were carried westward at a speed of 18 km/h (11 mph). Residents in the San Marcos Palajunoj and San Martín Sacatepéquez areas may experience light ashfall, with further activity posing risks of long-range pyroclastic flows towards the southwest, south, and southeast.

  • Powerful earthquake swarm begins in Bardarbunga caldera, Iceland

    ByTeo Blašković

    A powerful earthquake swarm started in the NW part of Bárðarbunga caldera, Iceland at 06:08 UTC on January 14, 2025. Initial data indicate that dozens of quakes occurred in rapid succession, hinting at possible volcanic or tectonic unrest deep beneath the ice. The current activity may be similar to the beginning of the swarm that occurred before the 2014 Holuhraun eruption.

  • Glacial outburst flood at Grímsvötn volcano, Iceland

    ByRishika Yadav

    Seismic readings indicated the onset of a glacial outburst flood from Grímsvötn volcano on January 13, 2025. Grímsvatn floods have occurred almost annually since November 2021. There are examples of volcanic eruptions occurring due to pressure relief in Grímsvötn after water gushes from there. However, glacial outburst floods have occurred much more frequently without volcanic eruptions.