The Bárðarbunga volcano in Iceland shows heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, according to Icelandic authorities.
An Orange Alert has been issued this afternoon (Monday) which is the second highest of 5 possible alerts regarding volcanic activity.
Intense seismic activity has been recorded at Bárðarbunga since Friday with more than 1500 earthquakes recorded at the site during the past persists three days.
Authoiries motniroing the central Icelandic volcano say there are very strong indications of ongoing magma movement, in connection with dyke intrusion.
Bárðarbunga is a subglacial stratovolcano located under the ice cap of Vatnajökull glacier, rising to 2,009 metres (6,591 ft) above sea level, making it the second highest mountain in Iceland, just about 101 metres (331 ft) lower than Hvannadalshnjúkur. Bárðarbunga is Iceland's largest volcanic system, considered to be close to 200 kilometres (120 mi) long and up to 25 kilometres (16 mi) wide.
The Gjálp fissure eruption in 1996 revealed that an interaction may exist between Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn. A strong earthquake in Bárðarbunga, about 5 on the Richter scale, is believed to have started the eruption in Gjálp.
Sustained seismic activity has been occurring in Bárðarbunga for some years without an eruption, thus the volcano is still active.
An Orange Alert has been issued this afternoon (Monday) which is the second highest of 5 possible alerts regarding volcanic activity.
Intense seismic activity has been recorded at Bárðarbunga since Friday with more than 1500 earthquakes recorded at the site during the past persists three days.
Authoiries motniroing the central Icelandic volcano say there are very strong indications of ongoing magma movement, in connection with dyke intrusion.
Bárðarbunga is a subglacial stratovolcano located under the ice cap of Vatnajökull glacier, rising to 2,009 metres (6,591 ft) above sea level, making it the second highest mountain in Iceland, just about 101 metres (331 ft) lower than Hvannadalshnjúkur. Bárðarbunga is Iceland's largest volcanic system, considered to be close to 200 kilometres (120 mi) long and up to 25 kilometres (16 mi) wide.
The Gjálp fissure eruption in 1996 revealed that an interaction may exist between Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn. A strong earthquake in Bárðarbunga, about 5 on the Richter scale, is believed to have started the eruption in Gjálp.
Sustained seismic activity has been occurring in Bárðarbunga for some years without an eruption, thus the volcano is still active.
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| Location of Bárðarbunga in proximity to Eyjafjallajokull |