An "unusually large" ice volcano in Iceland could be on the brink of eruption after over 130 earthquakes rattled the region in just five hours. The seismic activity, centered around the formidable Bárðarbunga volcano, began at 6:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, January 14. The strongest tremor registered a magnitude of 5.1 at 8:05 a.m., marking the most significant activity since Bárðarbunga's last major eruption in 2014.
Bárðarbunga, one of Iceland's most active volcanic systems, spans a staggering 120 miles (190 kilometers) in length and 16 miles (25 kilometers) in width. The system, which lies along the Eastern Volcanic Zone, features a central volcano towering 6,598 feet (2,009 meters) above sea level. It is mostly blanketed by a glacier, adding complexity to the potential eruption scenarios.
"Bárðarbunga is unique in that it is an unusually large volcanic system, partly covered by a glacier, and several scenarios are possible."
Source: Icelandic Met Office (IMO)
In the aftermath of the earthquake swarm, experts remain vigilant as they monitor the volcano's activities. During its last eruption from August 2014 to February 2015, Bárðarbunga unleashed an immense volume of lava across an area larger than Manhattan Island and spewed toxic gas across Iceland and Europe. This event marked the largest volcanic outbreak in Iceland for more than 300 years. The eruption commenced when a large fissure opened approximately 30 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of Bárðarbunga's caldera, resulting in the formation of Holuhraun, a significant lava field whose name translates to "the hollow lava."
The Bárðarbunga caldera itself is an expansive 25-square-mile (65 square kilometers) area filled with ice. Its previous eruption highlighted the potential risk posed by the volcano's underlying power, bringing attention to the challenges of predicting future volcanic activity.
"The volcano is unusually large, with several possible scenarios for future developments."
Source: Icelandic Met Office (IMO)
Experts acknowledge the difficulty in forecasting the precise development of Bárðarbunga's current activity. With its glacier-covered caldera and extensive volcanic system, Bárðarbunga remains a subject of intense study and observation.
