Key points at this time:
- No immediate threat to people or populated areas
- Airspace and all airports, international and domestic, are open.
- No volcanic ash has been detected with radar systems
- There are no signs of flooding
Volcanic Activity
An eruption has started North of Vatnajökull Glacier. No volcanic ash has been detected with the radar system at the moment. The wind conditions in the area are wind blowing toward NW at 12 m/s at 5 km altitude. Seismic eruption tremor is low indicating effusive eruption without significant explosive activity.
At this time there are no signs of immediate danger or flooding in the area, and nothing to indicate that this will affect flight traffic.
The aviation warning area has been reduced to 5.000 foot altitude. All Icelandic airports in Iceland are open. The Icelandic Transport Authority has issued a restricted area three nautical miles around the volcano and up to 5000 ft. over the ground.
Precautionary measures
Because of this The Police authorities have decided to close and evacuate the area North of Vatnajökull. This decision is a safety measure. The eruption is in an uninhabited area, but there are hiking trails in the area. No civilians are considered to be in any danger at this time.
The Icelandic Met Office has raised the aviation color-code to red over the eruption site, in accordance with procedure. The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, has decided to raise the Civil Protection phase to emergency phase, due to the eruption. This is also in accordance to procedure.
All roads leading into the area are closed as they have been since the seismic activity began in Bardarbunga on the 19th of August. Anyone travelling in the area or planning travels in/close to the area is referred to Safetravel.is.
Follow updates on Iceland.is for further developments.
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