Once again, its time to hold onto your hats as another Icelandic volcano could look like cause some chaos. The last eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 caused major disruption to both European and Transatlantic routes (and almost caused me to miss a trip to Atlanta).
This time, the Icelandic volcano Bardarbunga is increasing its activity, with signs of onward management movement according to Iceland’s meteorological office.
As a result, the risk to aviation has been raised to level orange – the second highest level of alert.
Notice from the From the Icelandic Met Office with Bardarbunga in orange – http://en.vedur.is/weather/aviation/volcanic-hazards/
According to the Met Office:
The intense seismic activity that started on 16 of August at Bárðarbunga persists. Very strong indications of ongoing magma movement, in connection with dyke intrusion, is corroborated by GPS measurements. There are currently two swarms: one to the E of Bárðarbunga caldera and one at the edge of Dyngjujökull just E of Kistufell. At 2.37 am on the 18th a strong earthquake (M4) was located in the Kistufell swarm.
This is the strongest earthquake measured in the region since 1996. As evidence of magma movement shallower than 10 km implies increased potential of a volcanic eruption, the Bárðarbunga aviation color code has been changed to orange. Presently there are no signs of eruption, but it cannot be excluded that the current activity will result in an explosive subglacial eruption, leading to an outburst flood (jökulhlaup) and ash emission. The situation is monitored closely.
Whilst there is no sign that magma has been detected moving to the surface from Bardarbunga, if there is an eruption – it could cause an ash plume akin to what occurred in 2010.
With the travel that chaos that caused too. Those of you with travel plans over the next few weeks could be minded to learn how to pronounce Bardarbunga if you’re stuck somewhere whey don’t want to be when it blows…
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