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Puffinshop · 20/12/2023 00:27

Grindavíkurvegur that should say.

Icelandtrip2024 · 20/12/2023 00:44

Thank you Zonder, that makes sense. It seems very weird to just keep calling it "the volcano"!

CrunchyCarrot · 20/12/2023 10:22

Some beautiful awe-inspiring footage taken yesterday by Isak Finnbogason (who had to pack up in a hurry whilst doing the livestream yesterday, so it got cut short)

19.12.23 New drone footage from the new volcano eruption in Iceland!

#iceland #volcano #drone a couple of highlight drone clips i captured during the mid day & evening of December 19th 2023, first daylight at the new volcano e...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZJs4gjHda0

Puffinshop · 20/12/2023 19:29

A man was rescued last night trying to hike to the eruption. He had collapsed from exhaustion and was in a bad way. Luckily the pilot of a small plane spotted him and he was all right.

He had tried to hike from Reykjanesvegur, which is about 10 km away over very rough terrain (if you've been on an Icelandic lava field you know they're not easy to walk on).

Of course it would probably be easier and certainly shorter to walk from Grindavík but considering how much bigger this eruption is, probably not a good idea unless you had gas meters and gas masks. Also rather risky due to potential new fissures opening up - if it happens it'll probably be along that line.

CrunchyCarrot · 20/12/2023 19:33

Oh silly man! The terrain does look very rough just from drone footage I've seen. He wouldn't be the first to collapse (or even die) just hiking to a volcano!

Puffinshop · 20/12/2023 19:52

I would imagine some people have done it successfully. There are always a few. I certainly wouldn't try it, I know my limits!

Puffinshop · 20/12/2023 19:59

Also I think it's a great example of the hike being the most dangerous part, much more dangerous than the eruption itself really. Especially in December in sub zero temperatures in the pitch dark.

RedToothBrush · 20/12/2023 23:19

I've been reading what's being said about going to the volcano.

It's being encouraged to go to the shopping centre instead by the authorities!

Zonder · 21/12/2023 07:20

RedToothBrush · 20/12/2023 23:19

I've been reading what's being said about going to the volcano.

It's being encouraged to go to the shopping centre instead by the authorities!

I totally misread this as:

I've been reading what's being said about going to the volcano.
It's being encouraged to go to the shopping centre instead by the authorities!

Spent a few moments wondering how they could encourage the volcano to do anything, and why on earth would they want it to go to the shopping centre?

crikeycrumbsblimey · 21/12/2023 08:04

Puffinshop · 20/12/2023 19:59

Also I think it's a great example of the hike being the most dangerous part, much more dangerous than the eruption itself really. Especially in December in sub zero temperatures in the pitch dark.

Take the threat of eruption out and I still think this is great advice!

Newgirls · 21/12/2023 09:30

Those lava fields are like black boulders everywhere - I couldn’t walk 1k let alone 10!

Zonder · 21/12/2023 09:45

Same. It's insane that someone was hiking towards the volcano. Nutter.

Puffinshop · 21/12/2023 10:56

Well, looks like it's just about over already. Short and intense, this one.

Unless it springs to life again.

silverxylophone · 21/12/2023 11:57

The Icelandic Met Office says:

"Because of the volcanic eruption that began at Sundhnúksgígar crater row on 18 December, there is an increased likelihood of further vent openings on the original fissure. Based on the sudden onset of the eruption at Sundhnúksgígar, the warning time for new fissure openings could be very short."

"The eruption that began in the Sundhnúksgígar crater row on 18 December started with considerable force, and the warning period was short. About 90 minutes passed from the first signs of seismicity until the eruption began."

Zonder · 21/12/2023 11:59

Wow.

I guess it is really unpredictable. We were on a volcanic island once, went to the crater one day and the next day it erupted.

RedToothBrush · 21/12/2023 12:30

Zonder · 21/12/2023 11:59

Wow.

I guess it is really unpredictable. We were on a volcanic island once, went to the crater one day and the next day it erupted.

It's happened a couple of times with tourists being in the wrong place elsewhere in the world. In these cases I believe the volcanoes were very active and nowhere near as monitored as in Iceland. But it does show it's not to be messed with.

Puffinshop · 23/12/2023 00:49

The death of that fissure might be a short intermission rather than the end. We could see a new fissure opening very soon. See the latest update from the Met Office:

"According to GPS and satellite-based measurements, ground uplift in the Svartsengi region was apparent immediately after the eruption began on the evening of 18 December. Initial measurements show that the rate of uplift is greater than before the eruption occurred. This signifies that magma accumulation continues unabated beneath Svartsengi. This development will likely lead to another dike intrusion and, ultimately, a volcanic eruption. In the event of an eruption, the most likely source region is between Stóra-Skógfell and Hagafell.

Continuous GPS measurements show that the rate of daily ground uplift at Svartsengi between 10 November, when the magmatic intrusion formed, and 18 December progressively declined. This process is likely to repeat itself, meaning that the next dike intrusion could begin with little warning when the uplift rate decreases again. Therefore, the likelihood of an eruption increases day-by-day."

https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night

Unabated ground uplift at Svartsengi | News | Icelandic Meteorological office

https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night

Puffinshop · 23/12/2023 01:09

With the lull in the activity and the fact that it seems to be moving north, the decision has been made to allow people to sleep in Grindavík if they wish as of tomorrow. So a Christmas at home for those who want.

Not sure what I'd do in their place.

CrunchyCarrot · 23/12/2023 04:59

I do think this is very far from being over, the ground uplift is concerning.

I think I'd be very nervous to go back to Grindavik if I was a resident, however, I can imagine many would want to go, who knows what sort of conditions they are currently living in, even if with friends or family, there comes a time when you need to give them a break!

Just Icelandic's latest thoughts:

There Will Be Christmas in Grindavik But The Next Eruption is Just Around the Corner

it's great news that residents will be allowed to celebrate Christmas in Grindavik but the in-laws and others out of town guests cannot join them so again we...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OKwxbKhf8M

Newgirls · 23/12/2023 09:10

To be in their homes at Xmas is a lovely thing - I’d be very tempted I’m sure.

is the blue lagoon closed over Xmas anyway?

CrunchyCarrot · 27/12/2023 12:24

Well apparently there's been black smoke emerging from a portion of the eruption area today for awhile. Things aren't over yet!

Puffinshop · 27/12/2023 13:43

https://www.vedur.is/um-vi/frettir/jardskjalftahrina-nordan-vid-grindavik-hofst-i-nott

The Met Office says today:

"The ground continues to rise at Svartsengi, at a similar rate to that seen before the eruption of 18 December. This means that magma continues to accumulate under Svartsengi and there is a chance this will lead to another magma intrusion and eruption. Modelling indicates that around 11 million m3 of magma has moved from the chamber under Svartsengi into the dike formed on 18 December. Based on the current rate of uplift, it will take around 2 weeks for the same volume of magma to collect in the chamber. It is very unclear when the pressure in the magma chamber will be great enough to trigger a new intrusion.
It is worth pointing out that the dike formed on 10 November extended around 15 km, from Kálfafellsheiði in the north and out into the sea south-west of Grindavík. This means that magma was present under this entire area. However, the most likely site for a new eruption is between Stóra-Skógfell and Hagafell. There is still a risk of eruption and that risk grows higher with every day."

Áframhaldandi landris við Svartsengi | Fréttir | Veðurstofa Íslands

https://www.vedur.is/um-vi/frettir/jardskjalftahrina-nordan-vid-grindavik-hofst-i-nott

CrunchyCarrot · 27/12/2023 13:50

I feel sorry for the folks who are back in Grindavik because they can't afford to be elsewhere. I'd be very nervous.