MONDAY OCTOBER 7 1996
Volcanic meltwater increase ups flood fears
Vast amounts of meltwater continue to collect in a basin under the Vatnajökull glacier
as a result of the volcanic eruption which has so far melted more than 2 cubic kilometers
of glacial ice.
Scientists maintain that massive flooding of the Skeidarársandur region in the south of
the country is imminent.
Observers had expected the water to break out from under the glacier some days ago,
but a subglacial icecap has so far prevented the melted ice from finding an escape route.
Under normal circumstances water collects under the glacier and slowly burrows escape
channels, leading to an event known as the Skeidarár river run, or flooding of nearby
countryside.
Now the water, which has suddenly collected and not had time to tunnel out, is warm
from the eruption, and sits under the icecap. Scientists say however that it is only a
matter of days before the water rises the icecap and floods out.