Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)
The Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report provides information about global volcanism on a weekly basis. Latest Reykjanes report has been published on 29 May 2024 08:59.
IMO reported that seismicity increased on 28 May in an area near the Sundhn?kag?gar crater row and, along with continuing inflation, possibly indicated rising magma within the Reykanes volcanic system. According to news articles seismicity intensified during the morning of 29 May, prompting the evacuation of workers at the Svartsengi power plant, 35-38 residents of Grindav?k (three remained), and visitors and residents at the Blue Lagoon spa area. At 1109 on 29 May IMO reported that the seismic swarm was likely related to a new dike intrusion. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red (the highest level on a four-color scale) and then decreased back to Orange at 1115 because no additional geophysical data indicated significant changes. An effusive eruption began at 1246 near Sundhn?k, NE of S?lingarfell, with the propagation of a 1-km-long fissure that produced lava fountains at least 30-50 m high and dense, gas-rich plumes rose along the fissure. Radar data indicated that particulates were present in the plume up to 2 km and gases rose as high as 3 km. By 1415 lava had advanced about 1 km W and to the S, towards Grindav?k road. A second fissure opened just W of the main fissure and eruption plumes rose as high as 3.4 km. The extrusion rate was estimated to be 1,500-2,000 cubic meters per second. The fissure continued to propagate and by 1450 it was 3.4 km long. Lava surrounded Hagafell to the E and advanced S towards Melh?lsn?ma based on an overflight conducted by the Coast Guard. The southernmost part of the fissure was less than 1 km from the lava barriers N of Grindav?k, and lava flowed over Grindav?k road.
Sources: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO),Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV)
See the detail here
