Another, fourth fissure, formed midway between the fissures that opened on April 5 and 7.
The area of increased danger in Fagradalsfjall is marked on the presented map.
The members of the Civil Protection Scientific Council met to discuss the progress of the Fagradalsfjall eruption. The meeting focused on seismic data and measurements, lava distribution, eruption intensity and related pollution.
The meeting also discussed the threats to people visiting the eruption site and indicated the most dangerous areas in terms of lava flow, gas concentration and possible opening of new fissures.
GPS measurements and satellite imagery were also reviewed to assess changes in the area since the opening of the new fractures. The changes are minor for the time being. There are indications that the magma is located shallow in an area south of Geldingadalur and northeast of the eruption site. It cannot be ruled out that more eruption holes will form in the coming days or weeks. The area at risk is where magma is already rising to the surface or in the south-west of Geldingadalur and in the northeast to Litla-Hrúti.
The map shows an area where people may be exposed to serious danger due to sudden events, such as the opening of successive eruptions, which may be accompanied by sudden and violent flow of lava. Outside this area, there are also other dangers related to lava flow and gas accumulation. The map also shows a design for a new hiking trail east of the danger area.
The steep and high edges of the lava fields at eruption sites can be unstable. Large, glowing pieces of lava can fall off without warning. Likewise, streams of liquid, incandescent lava can flow violently and rapidly from beneath the edge of what appears to be solidified lava.
The greatest seismic activity in the past two weeks is north of the magma chamber, reaching Mount Keilir. To the south of Keilir, at Litla-Hrút, shallow earthquakes are detected. Shallow earthquake epicenters may be a sign that magma is moving towards the surface. It cannot therefore be ruled out that the magma will reach the surface north of the magma chamber reaching Mount Keilir.
The latest gas pollution forecasts can be found HEREand we will check the weather forecast as usual HERE.
Source: Yle