Another glacial flood, this time coming from under Vatnajökull, has begun.
DV reports that water levels of the Kaldakvísl glacial river have risen 70 centimetres since midnight. Kaldakvísl descends from the western portion of Vatnajökull.
Reports from the national weather service indicate that there have been some minor seismic disturbances measured west of Vatnajökull. These disturbances are believed to be coming from the flood itself.
Glacial floods can be caused by any number of factors – rising lava, eruptions, steam vents or newly opened hot springs can all cause glacial ice to quickly melt, accumulate under the glacier, and then release. The effects can range from minor flooding to powerful destructive forces. There is nothing indicating that this particular glacial flood poses an immediate threat to persons, livestock or property.
Geologist Hjörleifur Sveinbjörnsson confirmed for DV that this flood will not likely result in any great damage, while adding that scientists are still trying to assess what sort of glacial flood this might be.
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