Eruption Over, Lasted 4 Hours

Yesterday’s volcanic eruption at Holuhraun lasted only 3-4 hours and the aviation code has been downgraded to orange.

“It was a small eruption and a small sample of the magma that is moving underground reaching the surface,” geophysics professor Páll Einarsson told RÚV.

According to Páll and geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson the eruption was more like an accident and a departure from what was expected.

“The magma intrusion strayed unnecessarily close to the surface and some magma came out,” said Páll.

Additionally, the Met Office has downgraded the aviation alert from red to orange and the no-fly zone has been reduced from 10 nautical miles (NM) to 3 NM and 5,000 foot altitude.

Intense seismic activity continues both around Bárðarbunga and in the northern part of Vatnajökull glacier. Over a thousand earthquakes were measured there yesterday.