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An “unusually large” ice volcano in Iceland might be ready to blow after more than 130 earthquakes struck the area in a five-hour duration, professionals state.
The earthquake swarm started in the northwestern area of Iceland’s Bárðarbunga volcano at 6:00 a.m. regional time Tuesday early morning (Jan. 14), with the biggest reaching a magnitude of 5.1 at 8:05 a.m, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) stated in a declaration on Jan. 14.
“The volcano is unusually large, with several possible scenarios for future developments,” IMO agents stated.
When did the Bárðarbunga last emerge?
The Bárðarbunga volcano system, which lies along Iceland’s Eastern Volcanic Zone, is the longest and among the most active volcanic systems in Iceland, according to IMO. The location determines about 120 miles (190 kilometers) long and 16 miles (25 km) large and is formed around a main volcano, likewise called Bárðarbunga, which reaches 6,598 feet (2,009 meters) above water level. The volcano is primarily covered by a glacier, and its 25-square-mile (65 square kilometers) caldera is filled with ice.
The volcano’s latest eruption– from August 2014 through to February 2015– was the biggest break out in Iceland for more than 300 yearsThe eruption started when a big crack opened about 30 miles (45 km) northeast of the volcano’s caldera and developed a big lava field referred to as Holuhraun, which equates to “the hollow lava,” according to Check out Iceland.
Related: The 12 most significant volcanic eruptions in taped history
The eruption spread lava throughout a location bigger than Manhattan Island and gushed poisonous gas throughout Iceland and Europe. The current swarm of earthquakes is the most substantial activity from the volcano given that this eruption, IMO agents stated.
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Bárðarbunga is a stratovolcano– a kind of cone-shaped volcano, likewise referred to as a composite volcano, that can suffer violent, explosive eruptions. The IMO stated that it was hard to forecast precisely how the volcano’s activity would establish at this point.
What will take place if the Bárðarbunga volcano emerges?
“Bárðarbunga is unique in that it is an unusually large volcanic system, partly covered by a glacier, and several scenarios are possible,” IMO agents stated.
One possibility is that eruptions will happen beyond the volcano’s caldera, comparable to the previous eruption in 2014. The volcano might appear underneath the glacier within the caldera itself, possibly setting off explosive ash emissions and glacial outburst floods.
The earthquake swarm begins the back of months of increased seismic activity from the volcano.
IMO is keeping an eye on the location carefully, the service kept in mind in the declaration.
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