Overall Green Volcanic eruption alert for Katla in Iceland on 15 May 2020 00:00 UTC

Event summary

Volcanic eruption Katla is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

Name:	Katla
Lat/Lon:	63.633 , -19.083
Event Date:	15 May 2020 00:00 UTC
Exposed Population 30km:	About 500 people within 30km
Exposed Population 100km:	About 900 people within 100km
Max Volc. Explosivity Index VEI:	5
Population exposure index:	2
Inserted at:	15 May 2020 15:59 UTC

GDACS Score

For more info on GDACS alert score click here.

Historical Timeline

Volcano Timeline

ID	GDACS alert color	Date	Eruption Details	Source
1		15 May 2020 00:00		LONDON

Exposed population

The eruption happened in Iceland , Region of Sudhurland (population 22,897) . The nearest places are Skeiðflötur, Vík, Evindarhólar, Grafarkirkja, Ásólfsskáli, Holt, Pykkvabaejarklaustur, and Stóridalur.

Radius	Population
100 km	<1000 people
75 km	<1000 people
50 km	<1000 people
30 km	<1000 people
20 km	<1000 people
10 km	no people
5 km	no people
2 km	no people

Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Affected Provinces

Region Province	Country	Population
Sudhurland	Iceland	23000 people

Affected populated places

Name	Country	City class	Population	Distance
Skeiðflötur	Iceland	Village	-	22 km
Vík	Iceland	Village	-	23 km
Evindarhólar	Iceland	Village	-	26 km
Grafarkirkja	Iceland	Village	-	29 km
Ásólfsskáli	Iceland	Village	-	36 km
Holt	Iceland	Village	-	37 km
Pykkvabaejarklaustur	Iceland	Village	-	38 km
Stóridalur	Iceland	Village	-	42 km

see full list

Critical infrastructure

Airports, ports, nuclear plants and hydrodams at risk, if affected, are listed below.

Airports

Ports

Name	LOCODE	Country	Distance
Vik		Iceland	25 km

Dams

Reservoir	Dam Name	River	Year	Distance
Krokslon	Sigalda	Tungnaa	1977	59 km
Hrauneyjalon	Hrauneyjafoss	Tungnaa	1981	62 km
Sultartangalon	Sultartangi	Tungnaa	1983	67 km
Thorisvatn	Thorisos	Thorisos	1972	78 km

Nuclear plants

Tsunami impact

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Tsunami affected locations

Initial conditions

More information

For a full list of available products related to this event, please refer to the GDACS Resources page.

Disclaimer
While we try everything to ensure accuracy, this information is purely indicative and should not be used for any decision making without alternate sources of information.
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The designations employed and the presentation of material on the map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the European Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.