An old volcano wakes up.
[Update 3, August 29: There was a fissure eruption today.]
[Update 2, August 24: That was a false alarm.]
[Update 1, August 23: An eruption has started today, according to IMO.]
The Bárðarbunga volcano under the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland has just stirred sending magma juices coursing through its subglacial conduits. Over five thousand earthquakes have been recorded during the past week, a few registering 4.0 and above. Whether an eruption is imminent is anyone’s guess but the Icelandic authorities are taking no chances.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office is actively monitoring the situation and collecting data. A couple of pages maintained by volcano enthusiasts are keeping watch, here and here.
A live cam feed trained on the volcano can be seen here.
A word on pronunciation:
Bárðarbunga –> Bowr-thaar-boonga (‘ow’ as in ‘cow’, the r is trilled, ð is like the ‘th’ in them).
Vatnajökull glacier seen from Almannaskarð pass near Höfn
5D Mark II, 70-200L f/2.8 IS II
Great shot, Rajan, foreboding but elegant at the same time!