Update 8.12. at 12:30

The Icelandic Meteorological Office elevated the aviation color code from yellow to orange on the 6th of December for Grímsvötn volcano when the seismic actvity increased above normal level in the aftermath of the glacial outburst (which peaked on 05.12). On that day a M3,6 earthquake occurred at 6:16 UTC and 15 more earthquakes occured within the day. However, yesterday (07.12) very few earthquakes were identified in the area and the geophysical parameters all showed normal values. Based on these current observations, IMO moved the aviation color code from orange back to yellow as there were no clear indications for an imminent eruption.

Since 18th of September no eruptive activity has been observed at Fagradalsfjall, but there are still small quantities of gas measured in the atmosphere. During the eruption a deflation signal was detected around Fagradalsfjall, most likely due to magma withdrawal from a deep reservoir which was feeding the eruption.

The National Weather Services of Denmark, Iceland, Ireland and The Netherlands are joining forces to jointly operate a new supercomputer and to bring significant advancements to short-term weather forecasting services.

During the past month (18th September - 18th October) no lava flow from the crater has been detected at Fagradalsfjall volcano. Out gassing is still ongoing with very low concentrations of eruptive gases. Similarly, thermal anomalies continue to be detected at lower values and greater intervals between detection's.

Yesterday, 19^th of September marks 6 months since the beginning of the eruption. The lava flow from this eruption is thought to be relatively small compared to other eruptions in Iceland. However, due to its location and easy access for scientists and the public it has had a bigger impact and made more challenges then other eruptions.

The flood in Skaftá is still ongoing but the discharge has lowered significantly.

The water level in Tungulækur, which is a groundwater stream from Eldhraun, continues to rise slightly, indicating that floodwater is still spreading through the lava. Gas pollution close to the edge of the Skaftá river remains a possibility.

The National commissioner in agreement with the Police Department of the North-East Iceland declared the uncertainty level because of the ongoing uplift at Askja volcano. In the last weeks fast deformation changes have been measured in Askja, both from GPS stations and processed satellite images. The uplift has reached about 7 centimeter and that is a significant change over this temporal period.

GPS observations and ground deformation maps derived from Sentinel-1 satellite data reveal that Askja volcano began inflating at the beginning of August 2021. The uplift signal is centered on the western edge of Öskjuvatn, close to Ólafsgígar. The cause of such inflation is uncertain, but most likely it is due to the inflow of new magma. Active volcanoes in Iceland, like Askja, are often characterized by periods of inactivity, lasting years to decades, with intervals of enhanced seismicity, geothermal activity, and inflation. In most cases, magmatic intrusions do not culminate into an eruption.

Updated 03.05 12:15

The eruption in Fagradalsfjall continues 

through one main crater. The active crater is the fifth fissure opening that opened in the area on the 13^th of April. Since the 27^th of April, the volcanic activity was characterized by continuous lava fountains, while the activity changed at around midnight on the 2^nd of May, and has since  been showing pulsating behaviour. 

Considering these changes in activity, the size of the hazard area at the eruption site is being re-evaluated.  

Uptdated 29.3 at 09:30

The Civil Protection and Emergency Management's Science Board held a meeting Friday (Mars 26.) to discuss the volcanic eruption in Geldingadalir on the Reykjanes Peninsula. 

A lot of data has been collected including on-site and remote measurements along with modeling work forecasting the event's possible behavior over the coming days. A report detailing the event's general status and proposals for regular monitoring will be released shortly. 

The year 2020 was stormy. The average wind speed was remarkably high and number of windy days was unusually high.

The annual mean temperature at all stations was higher than the 1961 to 1990 mean, but below the average of the last ten years. It was relatively warmer in the East and Northeast but colder in the Southwest and West.

The year was wet in the North and East. The annual precipitation in Akureyri has never been higher since the beginning of registration in 1928.

From 15 to 18 December 2020, several landslides hit the town of Seyðisfjörður, destroying or damaging more than 10 buildings. Thankfully, there were no injuries. The largest landslide occurred on 15 December, and it ranks as the most damaging landslide to have affected an urban area in Iceland.