Iceland - Evacuation ordered north of Bárðarbunga volcano.(RUV).
The area in the highlands north of Vatnajokull glacier has been closed, and a widespread evacuation order is in effect. In the wake of ongoing earthquake activity around the subglacial volcano Bardarbunga, which is located in the northwestern part of the glacier.
There is currently no immediate danger, but if the volcano erupts, a major flood is expected to the north, fed by melting ice from the glacier. Around 3500 earthquakes have struck under the glacier since last weekend, marking the most intense earthquake activity on record in this area.
There is currently no change in seismic activity, and the evacuation order is a safety measure, because a volcanic eruption cannot be ruled out, although there are currently no signs that an eruption has started.
The area north of Vatnajokull glacier, all the way north to Route 1, is now off limits to the public. Mountain roads in the area have been closed, and local search and rescue teams have been called to help evacuate the area.
The area has no permanent inhabitants, but the evacuation includes parts of Vatnajokull National Park, with popular tourist attractions like Askja, Herdubreidarlindir, Hvannalindir and Kverkfjoll being closed.
Bardarbunga is one of Iceland's most dangerous volcanoes, and earthquakes in the same area triggered a subglacial eruption in 1996, leading to massive floods to the south. If the volcano were to erupt today, however, the most likely course of a flood is considered to be to the north, into the glacial river Jokulsa a Fjollum.
The river runs from the northwestern part of Vatnajokull, north towards the north coast of Iceland. The waterfall Dettifoss, one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern Iceland, is situated on this river, but the waterfall is located north of Route 1, and is still open to the public.
A live webcam of Bardarbunga volcano is now available, with a still image updated every few minutes. The webcam was set up at the mountain Grimsfjall, 30 km (19 mi) from Bardarbunga.
There is currently no change in seismic activity, and the evacuation order is a safety measure, because a volcanic eruption cannot be ruled out, although there are currently no signs that an eruption has started.
The area north of Vatnajokull glacier, all the way north to Route 1, is now off limits to the public. Mountain roads in the area have been closed, and local search and rescue teams have been called to help evacuate the area.
The area has no permanent inhabitants, but the evacuation includes parts of Vatnajokull National Park, with popular tourist attractions like Askja, Herdubreidarlindir, Hvannalindir and Kverkfjoll being closed.
Bardarbunga is one of Iceland's most dangerous volcanoes, and earthquakes in the same area triggered a subglacial eruption in 1996, leading to massive floods to the south. If the volcano were to erupt today, however, the most likely course of a flood is considered to be to the north, into the glacial river Jokulsa a Fjollum.
The river runs from the northwestern part of Vatnajokull, north towards the north coast of Iceland. The waterfall Dettifoss, one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern Iceland, is situated on this river, but the waterfall is located north of Route 1, and is still open to the public.
A live webcam of Bardarbunga volcano is now available, with a still image updated every few minutes. The webcam was set up at the mountain Grimsfjall, 30 km (19 mi) from Bardarbunga.
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