A vulcano are awakening - are we prepared?

Since January this year it has been registered in increase in vulcano activity by Grindavik on Reykjanes in the southern part of Iceland. There has been several earthquakes and the ground has lifted. The vulcano Þorbjörn is alive, and in a recent article in Aftenposten Viten vulcano expert and Njord member Olivier Galland asks if we are prepared for an eruption.

Geothermic activity - an ash cloud from the Earth's crust and cloudy sky.

The picture is from Gunnuhver. This area on the peninsula Reykjanes has a high amount of geothermic activity. Iceland's airport Keflavik and the capital Reykjavik is close by.

Photo: Olivier Galland

We know that clouds of ash from vulcanos on Iceland can migrate to Europe if the wind conditions are right. After the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 the pollution caused by the ash led to tremendous challenges for air traffic in major parts of Europa. The air space over many countries were closed for days, flights were cancelled and people were unable to travel.

It has been ten years since Eyjafjallajökull erupted, and vulcanic activity on Iceland suggests that the vulcano Þorbjörn might be erupting soon. Are Europe prepared for the effects that an eruption of this proportons will have? You can read more about this in Olivier Galland's article in Aftenposten:

En vulkan våkner på Island. Er vi beredt?, Aftenposten, 28.04.2020 (in Norwegian only)

Published May 5, 2020 1:20 PM - Last modified Apr. 23, 2021 2:06 PM