Volcanic eruption continues; massive flooding imminent
The powerful volcanic eruption under Vatnajökull glacier continues unabated and has filled a vast sub-glacial lake with meltwater which can flood at any moment.
A 6 kilometre high column of smoke, ash and volcanic detritus is still spewing from a
rift burned through the glacier's 450 metre thick layers of ice. The fissure in the
glacier's surface is growing steadily and was late last night estimated to be 8 km
long.
Scientists estimate that the eruption yesterday alone melted 1 cubic km of glacial
ice, most of which ran into the Grímsvötn caldera under the glacier. Experts say an
overspill of glacial water from Grímsvötn is imminent and have predicted massive
flooding of Skeidarársandur in the south of the country.
Authorities yesterday began removing signs and crash barriers from roads in the
area in an effort to minimise damage should the flooding begin. Officials say the
forecasted flooding could leave taxpayers with a more than US$20 million repair bill
for damaged roads and phone and electricity lines.
There has as yet been no disturbance to the busy air-lanes above Iceland as a
result of ash emitted from the volcano. Jetliners on trans-Atlantic flights passing
close to Iceland usually fly at a height of 30-37,000 feet, while only minute amounts
of ash have risen to more than 20,000 feet.
Photograph taken by Páll Stefánsson yesterday
afternoon of the eruption.
