Katla in full swing during her 1918 eruption

In recent times the Icelandic volcano Katla has been rumbling and grumbling. Some think this means an eruption is imminent, and indeed the volcano is overdue for an eruption. Earthquakes are continuing under the volcano, and the latest occurred at about 6pm today and measured 3.2 on the Richter scale according to the Icelandic Met Office. Four other earthquakes were recorded after noon today, reaching 2 on the scale.

Labels: Katla, Natural disasters

In a ranking released today by risk analysis firm Maplecroft, Iceland has been declared the country which is least vulnerable to climate change. The ranking not only assesses actual risk due to climate change, but also a country’s ability to cope with it. The assessment looks at various dangers which could occur due to climate change, such as flooding, extreme storms and droughts.

The countries in most danger on the list are all developing nations; Haiti, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe being the three most vulnerable. According to analysis from The Guardian, a developing country does not appear on the list until number 104, which is occupied by Greece. This sits in contrast to the rest of Europe, in which most countries rank amongst the least vulnerable.

Source: The Guardian
Image: Maplecroft

Labels: Environment, Natural disasters

Flooding in the Skaftá has occurred for the second time in a week, after floodwater from the west part of the Skaftárjökull glacier, which entered the river on 20th June, has resumed.

The water is now flowing at high volume from the same part of the glacier, according to Snorri Zóphóníasson, a hydrologist for the Icelandic Met Office. Snorri says that the flood started last night and that the discharge of the river now stands at 700 cubic metres.

The flood was first recorded in measurements at Sveinstindur, which is about 20 km from the glacier site. The rising water levels have not yet reached built-up areas, but that situation is expected to change towards the latter part of the day. Snorri says that this flood is around twice as large as the one which occurred last weekend, and that it looks to be a typical of the eastern part of the glacier.

Civil Defence Service has issued an announcement which says that there is no risk to travel, but the public should be aware of sulphur pollution, especially near the site where the floodwater originated. Tourists in the area are requested to travel carefully. The water has submerged the road between Hólaskjól and Skaftárdal.

Source and image: visir.is

Labels: Natural disasters

Hydrographers for the Icelandic Met Office announced on Sunday afternoon that a flood started in the river Skaftá in southern Iceland, near Kirkjubæjarklaustur. At the time of publication of the first report the size of the flood was unknown, but a report released later in the evening states that the flood seems to be a small one. It is said to be similar to a flood in the area in 2005.

The source of Skaftá is Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier, which takes up a large portion of the western part of the country. It is not known at this point exactly where in the glacier the floodwater originated. Residents of Skaftárdalur, the valley which the river flows through, have been informed of the flood. It is thought that the road into the valley may be flooded. There is considered to be no danger to travellers.

The water level has begun to rise at Sveinstindur. Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the water was predicted to reach the mountain lodge Hólaskjól at Nyrðra-Fjallabak by 16:00, and later the municipality of Skaftárdalur at around 18:30. It was also predicted that the flood would reach Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which lies on the south coast. It is unclear from the reports whether this is the case.

Later on in the day, the police in Hvolsvöllur issued their thoughts on the flood. They considered it average, going so far as to say that it is a cyclical event. The image above was taken in 2008.

Sources: mbl.is, mbl.is
Image: genevieveromier

Labels: Natural disasters, Nature, Weather