Guest Thinkers — September 1, 2010

Evacuations near Eyjafjallajökull-Fimmvörduháls?

Iceland may have ordered evacuations near Eyjafjallajökull-Fimmvörduháls after increased earthquakes underneath the Eyjafjallajokull ice cap, leading to fears of a potential jökulhlaup (volcanically-triggered volcanic flood).

Erik Klemetti

nThe Eyjafjallajökull-Fimmvörduháls eruption on April 7, 2010.

Just as we were speculating that the Eyjafjallajökull-Fimmvörduháls eruption might be over, Icelandic officials may have ordered an evacuation for towns (icelandic) in the area (but information in english is scant). There have been a recent swarm of shallow earthquakes underneath the Eyjafjallajökull ice cap – and if there is any chance that this could be signs of a new eruption under the ice, evacuations are justified. This could mean a jökulhlaup could be generated. These glacial floods are highly destructive, so getting people out of the way quickly is vital.

UPDATE 22:45 EDT 4/13/2010: More news about the evacuations, again in Icelandic.

If you see any news about the events tonight, please feel free to it here.