Strongest earthquake since 1991 and glacial outburst flood at Grímsvötn volcano, Iceland

Strongest earthquake since 1991 and glacial outburst flood at Grímsvötn volcano, Iceland

A glacial outburst flood has begun at Grímsvötn volcano, located beneath the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland. In addition, the volcano was hit by a M4.3 earthquake on January 11 — the strongest since measurements began in 1991. Glacial outburst floods are known to increase the likelihood of volcanic eruptions. As a result, the Aviation Color Code for the volcano has been raised to Yellow.

Large fissure opens up in Grímsfjall, Iceland

Large fissure opens up in Grímsfjall, Iceland

A large fissure opened up last week in the southern part of Grímsfjall, near Grímsvötn subglacial volcano in Iceland. Pictures show that there’s a lot of hydrothermal activity in this fissure, but there is no eruption at this moment.

Increased seismicity under Grímsvötn volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Yellow, Iceland

Increased seismicity under Grímsvötn volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Yellow, Iceland

Increased seismicity was detected under Grímsvötn volcano in SW Iceland on August 2, 2022, forcing the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) to raise the Aviation Color Code for the volcano to Yellow. This is now the third volcano in Iceland with Yellow Aviation Color Code in effect – after Askja and Krysuvik. The last eruption of this volcano took place in 2011.

Grímsvötn volcano Aviation Color Code raised to Orange, Iceland

Grímsvötn volcano Aviation Color Code raised to Orange, Iceland

The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has raised to Aviation Color Code for Grímsvötn volcano from Yellow to Orange on December 6, one day after the glacial flood from Grímsvötn reached its peak discharge. By definition, the Aviation Color Code is…

Ice sheet in Grímsvötn subsided 17 m (55.8 feet) in 9 days, Iceland

Ice sheet in Grímsvötn subsided 17 m (55.8 feet) in 9 days, Iceland

The ice sheet in Grímsvötn has subsided about 17 m (55.8 feet) from November 24 to December 2, 2021. This is about 9 days since it started subsiding and running water began to break its way under the glacier. The Meteorological Office's hydrologists…

Ice sheet at Grímsvötn subsided almost 10 m (33 feet), Iceland

Ice sheet at Grímsvötn subsided almost 10 m (33 feet), Iceland

The GPS meter in Grímsvötn shows that the ice cap continues to descend and it has sunk almost 9.87 m (32.4 feet) since it was measured highest on November 24, 2021, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reports. Running water has now appeared in…

Ice sheet in Grímsvötn subsiding, could lead to an eruption, Iceland

Ice sheet in Grímsvötn subsiding, could lead to an eruption, Iceland

The Scientific Advisory Board for the Civil Defense met on November 24, 2021, to discuss changes measured at Grímsvötn. GPS measurements are showing that the ice sheet has started subsiding which indicates that a flood from Grímsvötn is…

Grímsvötn volcano ready to erupt, Iceland

Grímsvötn volcano ready to erupt, Iceland

According to Benedikt Gunnar Ófeigsson, deformation scientist at the Icelandic Met Office (IMO), there is every indication that the Grímsvötn volcano is ready to erupt. The last eruption of this volcano took place in 2011 — it was a large and…