WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16 1996
Vatnajökull eruption reveals new mountain
National daily Morgunbladid today dedicates its front page to the Vatnajökull
eruption publishing a half-page photograph clearly showing a huge gorge and
steamy aftermath of the violent meltdown resulting from almost two-weeks of
intense volcanic activity.
Scientists flying in clear, sunny weather over the site of what is believed to be
among Iceland's largest eruptions of this century, report that the eruption has
created a new mountain whose peak can clearly be seen rising up through the
glacier. The new mountain continues to melt the glacier ice as clouds of steam
rise from its summit. Melt water flows from the eruption area through a 3km long
ice canyon before running submerged in the ice into the Grímsvötn basin, the
surface height of which has risen to 1504m, according to measurements taken by
the Nordic Volcanological Institute. Scientists meanwhile, at the University of
Iceland, estimate that a level of 1505-1510m is enough water to lift the ice block.
At this point, experts believe there is either a pause in the volcanic activity or
that it has ceased altogether and are now anxious to see when the anticipated
flood of water will ensue.