Increased instability in the eruption area has prompted scientists to be called upon to evacuate the area for safer ground.
According to The Icelandic Met Office, around 160 earthquakes have been recorded since midnight last night, most of the concentrated at the northern edge of Dyngjujökull. In fact, “a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred at 03:08 UTC today on the northern side of the Bárðarbunga caldera.”
“GPS measurements show that the volume of the dyke intrusion has increased since the beginning of the eruption; this signifies that more magma is entering the dyke than is being erupted,” the Met Office adds. “Recent radar images show a 0.5 – 1 km wide depression that has formed both in front of and beneath Dyngjujökull. Signs of the depression extend about 2 km into the ice margin.”
These signs have raised a red flag with both the Met Office and Civil Protection in Iceland.
“In light of GPS, radar and seismic results, it is possible that the ongoing eruption could progress southward under Dyngjujökull. This would lead to immediate flooding hazards on the floodplain in front of Dyngjujökull,” the Met Office states.
RÚV reports that scientists have been texted to vacate the area. They will be advised to stand down until more exact information comes in on the situation.
As reported, the lava eruption at Holuhraun continues to spread lava over several square kilometres. You can watch the ongoing eruption live on webcam here.
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