An increase in inflation could potentially indicate the approaching cessation of a volcanic eruption
The ongoing eruption at the Sundhnúkagígar crater row in Iceland, which has been active for two weeks, has been linked to renewed inflation at Svartsengi. This information was shared by the South Iceland Volcano and Natural Hazard Group in a social media post.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), the uplift at Svartsengi, less than 2 cm over the past week, suggests a change in the magma flow pattern. This could indicate that the eruption at Sundhnúkagígar is coming to an end.
GPS sensors in the Svartsengi area have detected this slight uplift since the weekend. The IMO's report provides data on the uplift at Svartsengi, but further clarity will come from data from the coming days.
The magma from below may now be feeding into the magma chamber rather than continuing to rise to the surface. This might indicate a shift in the magma's path from the eruption site.
The eruption at Sundhnúkagígar resulted from magma intrusion linked to the renewed inflation at Svartsengi, reflecting evolving magma pathways under the Reykjanes Peninsula. The IMO and the South Iceland Volcano and Natural Hazard Group will likely continue to monitor the situation closely.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office's report on the uplift at Svartsengi is available on their website. The ongoing eruption in the Sundhnúkagígar crater row may be experiencing a change in its magma flow pattern, which could be a sign of the eruption's potential conclusion.
The change in magma flow pattern, as suggested by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), might be indicative of the eruption at Sundhnúkagígar transitioning towards a conclusion. In the realm of environmental science, understanding such shifts in magma pathways, as a result of an eruption, can also impact health-and-wellness and the overall environment of the region.
