Words by

Gabríel Benjamin

@gabrielandmore

Photo by

Bárðabunga LiveCam

Today’s reports of an eruption starting at Bárðabunga may have been premature, according to geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson. He said in a RÚV interview that typically, subglacial eruptions melt through the ice, but today’s aeroplane surveys did not revealed any indications of that happening.

With the increased seismic activity this morning, Magnús said that it was logical to think an eruption might be starting. The magma is still moving and might lead to an eruption, but it is too early to tell exactly what will happen.

Other reports of the eruption based on images from a nearby webcam were also in error—it was simply a sandstorm passing through, which is a common occurrence in the area.

See more Eruption Iceland stories.