New measurements of the famous south Iceland volcano indicate that it may be ready to erupt, and its internal pressures are greater than they were before the last two eruptions.
“Hekla is certainly dangerous,” geophysics professor Páll Einarsson told Vísir. “We could be looking at a real disaster, if we don’t prepare ourselves. Especially as the prelude to a Hekla eruption is very short.”
Hekla’s last eruption concluded at the end of February 2000, and has been erupting roughly every ten years since 1970. Páll told reporters that according to recent measurements of the volcano, Hekla has been gathering up a great deal of magma – more than was in the last two eruptions.
Páll also points out that Hekla is a very popular tourist destination, with some tour groups hiking parts of the volcano. Due to the short notice an eruption might give, Páll worries this could be dangerous.
“Airplanes full of passengers fly right over the top of Hekla, 20 to 30 times a day,” he said. “This is a dangerous moment that we need to take seriously.”
As always, The Grapevine will keep readers updated on any new volcanic activity.
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