Volcano Watch: Holuhraun Update And New Photos

Two new fissures have opened up in the Holuhraun eruption, about 1.5 kilometres south of the previous eruption site. According to eye witnesses the lava streaming out of the new fissures is creeping slowly towards Dyngjujökull glacier.

While flying over Holuhraun, photographer Axel Sigurðarson captured these stunning new photographs of the eruption. Special thanks go out to his pilot Bjarni Helgason with Mýflug Air for helping Axel get up there. You can check out more of Axel’s pictures on his website axelsig.com

Volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson, told RÚV that by spreading to new fissures the nature of the eruption has changed and that large new surface cracks and a small rift valley – which has been observed in recent days – extend under the glacier.

Currently the Holuhraun eruption is being fed magma from a dike intrusion from the Bárðarbunga caldera in Vatnajökull glacier.

Fears of a possible subglacial eruption in Dyngjujökull – which could lead to glacial flooding as well as explosive ash-producing volcanic activity – has lead to an increase in security measures in the area.

At time of writing the area around the Holuhraun eruption is closed to all traffic.

The toxic fumes – mostly sulfur dioxide – emanating from the eruptions now reach 15 thousand feet.