Magnús Tumi Gudmundsson, professor of Geophysics at the University of Iceland says the Eruption in Grímsvötn seems to be getting smaller. Still, ash is falling in many places in the southeastern part of Iceland.
Gudmundsson said that he had flown over the eruption this morning and says that even though the eruption is quite large, it now is smaller than initially. He said that at times it was about as large as the 2004 Grímsvötn eruption. „Lightings are very active and the ash is widespread. The eruption is larger than other eruptions in recent years in Iceland.” He went on to say that it was likely that the eruption would now be big only for a few days, although it was too soon to tell with certainty.
Grímsvötn. Photo: Páll Stefánsson
“The fissure is not so long, maybe 500 to 800 meters wide, but extremely powerful when it goes at full blast.”
People are strongly encouraged not to try to drive to the area. It could be dangerous and there is not much to see because of the ash. Visibility is from 50 to 200 meters in many places including Kirkjubæjarklaustur. People attending a meeting at the Public Safety Commission had to use flashlights to go between houses at 13.30 on Sunday (1.30 PM) according to physician on duty, Jón Eyjólfur Jónsson. In an interview with icelandreview.com Jónsson said that he was supposed to go to Reykjavík this afternoon, but said that travelling was impossible at the moment and he might have to stay in Kirkjubæjarklaustur until tomorrow.
Please note: The next issue of the print edition of Iceland Review will include extensive coverage of the eruption. If you subscribe now, you will receive a photo book by IR editor/photographer Páll Stefánsson of the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull as a gift.
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