The activity in Mýrdalsjökull glacier in south Iceland, which covers the volcano Katla, has decreased significantly, according to Sigthrúdur Ármannsdóttir, a geographer at the Icelandic Meteorological Office. The most recent tremors that were picked up by sensors were shallow and not unusual for the area.
Mýrdalsjökull. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
The flood in Múlakvísl has subsided, the water level in the river has returned to normal and the Civil Protection Department has lowered the stage of preparation from danger to uncertainty, ruv.is reports.
The flood destroyed the bridge across Múlakvísl and tore a hole in the Ring Road, Iceland’s highway no. 1, and the only route that leads past this hindrance is the highland road Fjallabaksleid nyrdri, which is only passable for 4×4 vehicles.
Representatives of the Icelandic Road Administration, Minister of the Interior Ögmundur Jónasson and Minister of Finance Steingrímur J. Sigfússon met with local authorities in region impacted by the flood from Mýrdalsjökull yesterday to discuss the situation.
Hreinn Haraldsson, director of the Road Administration, said the most optimistic forecasts assume a temporary bridge can be ready in two to three weeks. The construction work will begin immediately.
Click here to read an announcement in English and German about the situation.
Click here to read more about the flood and activity in Mýrdalsjökull.
