Experts warn of a potential eruption at Iceland's second-largest volcano, Bárðarbunga, due to a swarm of 130 earthquakes within five hours. The aviation color-code has been raised from green to yellow as a precaution. Bárðarbunga last erupted a decade ago, and while the 2014/15 eruption didn't significantly impact flights, the current activity warrants close monitoring.
One of Iceland 's largest volcanoes, Bárðarbunga, is showing signs of a potential eruption. The Iceland ic Meteorological Office (IMO) has reported a swarm of 130 earthquakes within a five-hour period, a key indicator of an impending eruption. As a precautionary measure, the aviation color-code for Bárðarbunga has been raised from green to yellow, signifying heightened activity.
This alert provides pilots and aviation authorities with crucial information about the potential presence of volcanic ash, which could disrupt flights. Bárðarbunga, situated beneath Iceland's largest ice cap (Vatnajökull) in the country's center, last erupted a decade ago, triggering a red travel alert. The 2014/15 eruption released significant volumes of sulfur dioxide, impacting air quality, although it didn't produce substantial volcanic ash, resulting in minimal flight disruptions outside the immediate vicinity. The 2014-2015 Holuhraun eruption, the largest in Iceland for over 300 years, lasted nearly six months. 'Bárðarbunga is unique due to its size and being partially covered by a glacier,' stated the IMO. 'The observed seismic activity aligns with increased pressure caused by magma accumulation, a process ongoing since the last eruption in 2015.' Unease began on Tuesday when a 'strong' earthquake swarm commenced shortly after 6 am UTC in the northwestern part of the Bárðarbunga caldera, according to the IMO. Earthquake activity peaked until around 9 am UTC, after which it gradually subsided, although tremors continue to be recorded. The strongest quake, registering at magnitude 5.1 at 8:05 UTC, had the potential for 'minor damage,' while 17 earthquakes measured magnitude 3 or higher. Earthquake activity in Bárðarbunga has been progressively increasing over recent months. Notably, four earthquakes with magnitudes of 5 or higher were detected in 2024. In the past four years, Iceland's volcanoes, Fagradalsfjall and Sundhnúkur, have attracted attention due to consistent eruptions, although these are located further southwest, closer to Reykjavík. Many of these eruptions preceded by earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 5 to 6. Iceland's position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a tectonic plate boundary, makes it particularly susceptible to seismic activity. This underwater mountain range gradually separates North America and Eurasia. Iceland, situated directly on the ridge, is one of the few places where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge emerges above sea level. Additionally, Iceland sits atop a mantle plume, a column of hot, molten rock rising from the Earth's mantle, which erupts as lava. Unlike recent eruptions in the Reykjanes Peninsula, Bárðarbunga's location within Iceland's largest ice cap reduces the risk to people and infrastructure
VOLCANIC ERUPTION ICELAND BARDARBUNGA EARTHQUAKES AVIATION SAFETY
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