Overview photo of the eruption centers taken in flight March 20, 2024. There you can see all the active craters and a lava flow from them to the south. In the background on the left you can see Grindavíkurbær and on the right you can see Svartsengi (Photo: Birgir V. Óskarsson - Natural Science Foundation)
High levels of SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) were measured over the weekend. Unchanged hazard assessment.
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Iceland Met Office
Updated 25. March at 16:30 UTC
- High levels of SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) were measured over the weekend. Gas dispersion forecast can be followed here .
- This concentration of SO2 is considered very unhealthy. It is important to pay close attention to developments in air quality.
- Volcanic activity appears to have decreased at Sundhnúksgíga.
- The hazard assessment remains unchanged. Increased hazards persist due to gas emissions
Volcanic activity at Sundhnúksgíga appears to have decreased over the past few days. Activity in the vents has decreased and possibly ceased in the smallest craters. Additionally, volcanic tremor has gradually diminished over the past few days. The main lava flow runs southward from the vents and then bends westward. Over the weekend, lava continued to flow into Melhólsnáma and has now filled it. However, the lava also continues to thicken near the craters.
GPS measurements in recent days indicate ongoing land rise in Svartsengi, but it exhibits a slower rate than before. This suggests that magma continues to accumulate in the reservoir beneath Svartsengi despite the ongoing eruption.
High levels of SO2 measured the past few days
High levels of SO2 have been measured in Höfn and Grindavík the past few days. This concentration is considered very unhealthy, and people are likely to experience respiratory symptoms if exposed. It is important to stay indoors, close windows, and turn off air conditioning. This is especially important where outdoor work is being carried out, as stated by the work safety authorities; companies and institutions in the southwest region of the country must pay close attention to further developments in air quality due to the potential risk of gas pollution. People in the area are advised to monitor air quality and familiarize themselves with symptoms of air pollution from volcanic gases.
The weather forecast for today (Monday) predicts northeasterly winds of 3-8 m/s at the eruption sites, with the pollution drifting southwestward (over Grindavík and Svartsengi); gas may accumulate near the eruption sites due to slow wind speeds. In the evening, night, and early morning hours, winds are expected to come from the east at 8-13 m/s at the eruption sites, causing pollution to drift westward, towards areas including Hafnir. During this period, it's also possible that the wind may become southeasterly at times, potentially causing pollution in Njarðvík, Keflavík, and Sandgerði. By late afternoon tomorrow (Tuesday), winds will shift to be northeasterly at 3-8 m/s, causing the gas pollution to drift southwestward (over Grindavík and Svartsengi) and possibly to accumulate near the eruption sites due to light winds. The gas dispersion forecast can be found here.
No changes in the hazard assessment
The hazard assessment has been updated and is valid from 15:00 today until April 2, barring any significant developments. There are no changes in the hazard assessment, and the risk of gas pollution remains high in all areas except for the Sundhnúksgíga crater row (Area 3), where it is assessed to be very high. The hazard in Area 4 (Grindavík) remains high due to fault movements, sinkholes above fissures, lava flows, and gas pollution.
(Click image to enlarge)