Volcanoes Erupting All Over

[XPan]

Grindavik, Iceland
16-17 Mar 2024

Yes indeed, we have a new eruption going on, north of Grindavík in Iceland. Apparently the lava flows southwards and has already reached the defense lines which should hold unless the lava flow is too massive. I believe there is also a branch moving (roughly) to the west towards the power plant and blue Lagoon (with without threatening them... yet).

Lava has reached the defenses​

16 March 2023, 23.59 Icelandic Time:

On webcams you can see that the lava flow has now reached the defenses to the east of Grindavík. In an interview on Rás 2 this evening, Efla employee Jón Haukur Steingrímsson said that the dikes should hold, but that the current is quite heavy in the south direction from the eruptions.

Jón Haukur says that the lava flows along the new gardens to the east of the town. There are small gaps in the gardens, which should not need to be closed unless the lava flow is considerably greater.

Count only thirty meters in Grindavíkurveg​

17 March 2023, 00.16 Icelandic Time

Hjördís Guðmundsdóttir from Almannavörnur says that it is now believed that the lava is only thirty meters away from reaching Grindavíkurvegi. It is therefore expected that lava flows over the road like it did in the last eruption in February.

Supposedly this is the most powerful eruption this far (compared the the previous ones) It has a lot of similarities to the 18 Dec 2023 eruption(which was further north of Grindavik, while the one on 14 Jan 2024 was much closer to the town, and destroyed a couple of houses)

Remember there is a link where you can choose to watch the eruption from several locations.

Multiview - Live from Iceland - Webcams around Iceland

Watch live feeds from our webcams with spectacular views of Iceland. Our streaming cameras are placed all around Iceland and broadcast 24/7. The ultimate slow TV!

livefromiceland.is

 

[XPan]

Grindavik/Svartsengi, Iceland
17 March 2024

The lava has already crossed the main road already - which went really quick i must day (Like the lava did back in December 2023, and then the Icelanders had it rebuilt again). In the lower left corner you can see the power plant Startsengi, but I can't determine the distance between the lawa flow and the powerplant... It it flows further westwards, it would pass the Startsengi power plant just north of it.



Visir.is writes:

The lava has crossed Grindavíkurveg​

17 March 2024, 0042 Icelandic Time

It seems that smoke, and even fire, is now coming from the front of the lava tube that has been heading towards Grindavíkurvegi for the last few hours. It seems that the lava has therefore reached the road.

On webcams you can also see that the lava has come over the road.

About twenty minutes ago, a news agency received information that it was believed that there were only thirty meters from the lava to the road.

 

[XPan]

GRINDAVIK, Iceland
17 Mar 2024

Uh ! The lava flow to the south, is awfully close to the outskirts of Grindavik town. The branch of the lava that just rolled over the main road, is visible to the upper left together with the lights from the power plant.



Visir.is writes:

Lava near Grindavík​

17 Mar 2024, 00.57 Iceland time

A photo that the Norwegian Meteorological Agency recently published shows how close the Grindavík lava flow has come. Varnargård directs it from the town and seems to hold.

It's hard to say what effect the lava will have​

17 Mar 2024, 00.58 Iceland time

Hjördís Guðmundsdóttir, public information officer for the public safety, says that it is difficult to assess at the moment the effect of a heavy load of lava flowing over Grindavíkurveg.

As is well known, lava crossed the road in February and caused damage to various pipelines. Hjördís says that the lava crossed the road in exactly the same place as last time, but more flow crossed a larger section of the road.

The pipelines that now run along the road should be better protected than they were last time. Hjördís says it is difficult to assess what effect this may have, but assuming that the pipelines continue.

 

[XPan]

Grindavik, Iceland
17 Mar 2024

All lights have just gone out in the town of Grindavik. (at 01.07 local time)

 

[XPan]

False alarm

The electricity was taken off on purpose.

The electricity taken by Grindavík on purpose​

Tómas Már Sigurðsson, CEO of HS Orku, confirmed in an interview with a news agency that the electricity had been taken from Grindavík on purpose. The lava is heading towards high voltage pylons and the electricity was taken out because of it.

 

[naorma]

A very impressive video from Iceland, March 22nd

„Lawospad“ w półmroku - RÚV.is

RÚV.is

www.ruv.is

 

[XPan]

Iceland: Northern Lights meet volcanic eruption
March 25, 2024 by Marc Szeglat

Island: Nordlichter treffen auf Vulkanausbruch - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Über dem Vulkanausbruch auf Island manifestierten sich fantastische Nordlichter. Die stärke der Eruption hat etwas nachgelassen.

www.vulkane.net

Slight decrease in volcanic activity on Iceland - ground uplift has increased

Volcanic activity on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula has decreased slightly at night and lava output has decreased. According to an RUV article quoting IMO expert Elísabet Pálmadóttir, only the edge of a lava tongue on the south-eastern side of Hagafell is still moving. The other lava advances in the direction of the coastal road and Grindavíkurvegur have come to a standstill. If you look at the livecams, you can see that the lava fountain activity is limited to the two largest cones.

The smaller cones are almost closed and only faint lava spattering can be seen from some of them. So far, this is a normal development for this type of eruption, and we also saw something similar in the Fagradalsfjall eruptions.

While the activity during the last two eruptions there gradually decreased after a stable phase, it began to pulsate during the first eruption phase: in a cycle lasting several hours, the activity decreased and then increased again, up to the production of large lava fountains. Such eruption behavior is rather atypical and we will have to wait and see how the current eruption develops.




The geophysical parameters are no longer as stable as they were in the last few days: the tremor has decreased slightly and the latest measurements of ground heave indicate a stronger increase than we have seen in the last few days. However, we will have to wait for further measurements to establish a trend. Earthquake activity at the various fissure systems on Reykjanes also increased slightly yesterday. It is unclear whether this is due to the better weather, which means that even weak tremors can be better detected, or whether seismicity has actually increased. The cause could then be the aforementioned acceleration of the ground uplift, which is again causing greater stresses in the subsurface of Reykjanes.

It is striking that there still seems to be a slight inflation under Fagradalsfjall, which manifests itself in ground uplift. There appears to be magma ascent here, independent of the eruption in the neighboring Svartsengi system, which could ultimately lead to an eruption here as well.

Northern Lights over the volcano

As I mentioned in a previous article, there have been fantastic northern lights to be seen over the volcanic eruption in recent nights, caused by a solar storm. This impressive natural spectacle could also be repeated next night.

END OF ARTICLE


Here is a map
i saved the other day, showing the extend of the lava in the Grindavík region from 20 March 2024

 

[XPan]

Popocatepetl, Mexico
23 March 2024

It is both fascinating as it is a bit worrisome, that the mighty Popocatepetl volcano's activity seem to get stronger as time goes by...

Aschewolke vom Popocatepetl driftet 400 km weit - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Der Vulkan Popocatepetl steigerte seine explosive Aktivität und erzeugte Aschewolken, von denen eine über 400 Kilometer weit driftete.

www.vulkane.net

Popocatepetl increased its activity - ash cloud detected more than 400 km away

The Mexican volcano Popocatepetl increased its explosive activity yesterday and produced several ash clouds that rose to a height of 7000 meters. One of these ash clouds was carried by the wind over 400 kilometers to the east and rained ash over towns and villages. The VAAC Washington detected the ash clouds and was able to follow the trail of one cloud to the town of Minatitlán. This town is located near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, while Popocatepetl rises not far from Mexico City.

CENAPRED issued a special message warning of the increase in activity. The population downwind was warned that it is unhealthy to inhale volcanic ash and that they should not expose themselves to ash fallout.




The explosion that produced this ash cloud occurred at around 20:20 local time. In addition to the volcanic ash, it ejected glowing tephra, which pattered on the upper part of the volcano's flank. MIROVA also detected an unusually high thermal radiation with a power of 122 MW tonight. It is possible that the measurement took place exactly at the time of an eruption and that not only glowing tephra but also hot gases were detected.

In addition to the ash eruptions, 34 exhalations of ash vapor clouds were observed and 914 minutes of tremor were recorded. This compares to 617 minutes the previous day, which was already a high value.

Despite the increase in activity, the volcanic arm traffic light remains at yellow, phase 2. There is an exclusion zone around the crater, which has a radius of 12 kilometers. Climbing the summit region is strictly prohibited.


Increased seismicity in Mexico City

Popocatepetl and its eruptions are not the only manifestations of the earth's forces that are currently causing concern in the Mexican capital. According to CEANPRED, a total of 42 weak earthquakes occurred in the west of the city between December 2023 and February 2024. They had magnitudes of less than 3 and could still be felt by residents in the region due to their shallow depth. Ground cracks formed over a distance of 1 km in the city. Although people initially wondered whether there could be a connection with the volcano, it soon became clear that the earthquakes were mainly caused by the various geological fault systems in the region.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Grindavík, Iceland
23 March 2024

Something wicked coming this way ?

Island: Vulkanologe sieht unerwartete Gefahr - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Vulkanausbruch auf Island geht auch eine Woche nach Eruptionsbeginn weiter. Vulkanologe sieht unerwartete Gefahr durch Lavatümpelbildung.

www.vulkane.net

Volcanic eruption on Iceland continues - volcanologist sees danger from lava pond formation

Even a week after the eruption began, lava is still flowing from the vents left over from the 3-kilometer-long eruption fissure near the craters. The cones around the vents are getting higher and higher, which may give the impression that the strength of the eruption is decreasing. However, the tremor indicates that there is no significant drop in pressure and that the eruption is largely stable.

The eruption poses a moderate hazard potential. The local police chief Úlfari Lúðvíksson said in an MBL interview yesterday evening that the course of the lava flows could change and that roads would then be in danger again. Air pollution from volcanic gases would also have to be monitored. In addition to the amount of gases emitted, the direction of the wind is also decisive as to whether people are endangered. In his opinion, as few people as possible should be in Grindavik and Svartsengi. By implication, this probably means that he does not currently approve of the reopening of the Blue Lagoon thermal spa. The situation will be reassessed on Monday.

The volcanologist Thorvaldur Thórðarson spoke again after a long absence and said that he believes the eruptive activity is slowly subsiding. He estimates the lava output at four to five cubic meters per second and believes that as long as it is in this range, the eruption is stable. If it falls below 3 cubic meters per second, then the eruption would be heading towards its end. He sees parallels here with the Fagradalsfjall eruptions. He sees a further parallel in the fact that the lava fronts are stagnating. The ejected lava accumulates on the lava field, which becomes thicker and thicker. Lava pools could form in some places near the vents, and if they leak out, a lava surge could occur that would cause the lava fronts to advance rapidly. This would particularly endanger the workers who are continuing to extend the dams at Grindavik.




Magma could rise directly from a deep reservoir

The volcanologist also explained that he believes that the lava is currently rising directly from a magma reservoir 10 to 14 kilometers deep and that the magma body has practically emptied at a depth of 4 to 5 kilometers. However, if you take a closer look at the GPS data of the ground uplift, you can still see a slight increase in the ground uplift under Svartsengi. Towards the west in the direction of Eldvörp, no more magma seems to be escaping underground at the moment, as the uplift is stagnating here. It is striking that the ground uplift at the GRVV measuring station near Grindavik continues unabated. This is an indication that not all of the rising magma is flowing out of the vents, but that a passage is being fed that stretches its fingers to below Grindavik.

END OF ARTICLE

16.513 Aufrufe · 132 Reaktionen | Lights. Last night aurora showed up again and this time I tried to catch it dancing above the eruption site in video. Saturday a solar flare released a coronal mass ejection (CME) which impacted our planet yesterda

Lights. Last night aurora showed up again and this time I tried to catch it dancing above the eruption site in video. Saturday a solar flare released a coronal mass ejection (CME) which impacted...

www.facebook.com

Fascinating video showing the ongoing eruption together with Northern Lights in a time lapse.

 

[XPan]

Icelandic Eruption & Aurora

Two photos i thought are amazing, showing Northern Lights during the (short) KP 8 index onset over Iceland, while the eruption continues.


Shown via Deane Scime on Facebook, apparently the images were taken by Paul Mortz on 24 March 2024 at 05.29 local Icelandic time

Oh and not to forget this truly amazing, out of the ordinary 360° view from above (you can swirl around the views yourself), showing the lava fields (e.g. active ones too) near Grindavík taken on 20 March 2024 !!!

Sundhnúkagígaröðin eruption overview - March 20th, 2024....

Sundhnúkagígaröðin eruption overview - March 20th, 2024. Day five of the eruption that began on March 16th, 2024

kuula.co

 

[XPan]

Grindavík, Iceland
27 March 2024

The eruption continues, and so does the ground uplift.

Island: Dämme bei Grindavik werden verstärkt - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Der Vulkanausbruch auf Island geht weiter. Bei Grindavik werden Schutzwälle verstärkt. Die Lava stehe bis auf den Kronen.

www.vulkane.net

The volcanic eruption continues - dams are reinforced in the battle for Grindavik

In Iceland, the volcanic eruption in the Svartsengi area continues. The eruption is stable and two to three vents are active, around which crater cones are forming. Small lava fountains, which mainly rise from 2 vents, feed a lava flow that spreads mainly to the south and is travelling on the lava field that was formed during the first days of the eruption. The lava field has practically not increased in size in the last few days. But it is getting thicker and thicker. This is causing problems along the dams that successfully protect Grindavik from the lava flows, as some of the lava is already up to the tops of the dams.



According to construction engineer Arnar Smári Þorvarðarson, work is going on day and night to raise the dams north-east of Grindavík. The aim is to raise the north-eastern part of the protective structure by four metres. In a particularly exposed area, the embankments are to be raised by five to six metres. Of course, the earth walls not only have to be raised, but also widened, because a correspondingly stable base has to be created. One difficulty is that the previous quarry, where the material for the embankments was extracted, has now been flooded by lava. New quarrying areas need to be developed. It is also clear that this will not be without environmental destruction.

It is completely unclear how the long-term course of activity on Reykjanes will continue. If it continues as many geoscientists believe, there could be repeated volcanic eruptions on Reykjanes for many decades to come.

An end to the current eruption is not yet in sight. There is still a weak ground uplift under Svartsengi. It indicates that magma is rising from greater depths. The vast majority of the melt feeds the eruption directly. A small amount is stored in the magma body at a depth of 5 kilometres.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Grindavík, Iceland
26 March 2024

Grindavik: Neue Hohlräume aufgespürt - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Geologen und Landvermesser haben Hinweise auf weitere Hohlräume unter Grindavik aufgespürt. Es kam zu weiteren Sperrungen.

www.vulkane.net

Cavities under Grindavik lead to closures - volcanic eruption continues

As the volcanic eruption within sight of Grindavik continues, geologists and surveyors have uncovered evidence of further cavities under Grindavik created by the earth movements of recent months. One of these cavities was unintentionally discovered when a lorry broke through the intact pavement of an asphalt road and half disappeared into the hole below.

The cavities were found in 9 areas in the west of Grindavik. The affected areas have been cordoned off and there are now discussions about who should pay for the holes, some of which are still hidden, similar to the cavity that was discovered by the lorry. Before the cavities can be filled, they have to be exposed on the surface or drilled out. An endeavour that will cost several million ISK.

Atli Geir Júlíusson, head of the Grindavik municipality's environmental and planning department, presented a report today and called on the state to cover the costs. It remains to be seen whether the government will honour this request.



In the meantime, the volcanic eruption continues
and is subject to the changes that are typical of an eruption of this kind. After the tremor fell slightly yesterday, the trend reversed again at night and there was a slight increase. All in all, the eruption still appears to be stable, although it is limited to the two largest crater cones that have formed on the fissure. It is likely that the smaller of the two cones will also cease its activity in the next few days. Instead, the lava fountain activity in the remaining crater will increase. A beautiful spectacle for the few privileged scientists and Icelandic press representatives who are allowed to approach the eruption site. Apart from the air pollution caused by the gas emissions, it is now relatively safe to watch the natural spectacle from one of the surrounding hills. Smaller new fissures could open up along the passage, or lava flows could swell in batches and change their course, but it is unlikely that a new kilometre-long fissure will open up and endanger onlookers with a huge eruption.

On the other hand, it is all the more likely that a walk-in volcano will not be set up outside the tourist season, as it will not be financially worthwhile to attract tourists.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[mabar]

There was an eruption of G. MARAPI in West Sumatra on Wednesday, April 03, 2024, at 09:30 WIB with the height of the ash column observed ± 1500 m above the peak (± 4391 m above sea level). The ash column was observed to be gray in color with thick intensity towards the northwest.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1775394565341827198

 

[naorma]

Obviously Etna is alive!

A picture from the rings is this below:

 

[XPan]

Etna, Sicily

Indeed extraordinary to see Etna producing so many rings at the same time... I collected a few more images people have taken from that event. Also - last photo: there is a permanent glow visible at the top of Etna. With slight pulsating light / small fountains. Even now as I write, it is still there.

Maybe I get some photos myself, because in 2 hours we are heading to the airport, flying from Stockholm to Catania (Which for me is the first time since March 2020). Catania is the city that lies afoot of Etna. Albeit in the glare of it, it likely isn'y so easy to spot or photograph small events at Etna...

Will see...