Since August 16th at 3 a.m., the region surrounding Iceland's largest volcanic system has been hit with a "swarm" of earthquakes. Of these thousands of seismic events, some of the recent quakes have rated above magnitude 3 according to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO). Scientists are saying that these quakes are a strong indicator that Bárðarbunga (BOWR-thar-Boon-kah, "Bárður's Bulge") may be about to erupt.
Interpretations of data provided by GPS ground deformation indicate that the quakes are most likely the result of magma intrusion, when molten rock from the Earth's mantle is pushed upwards through the crust by extreme pressure. Current seismic readings show the range of activity moving in a northeastern pattern and while there have yet to be any signs of magma reaching the surface, IMO siesmologist Kristin Jonsdottir said in a statement to Visir that "There's full reason to expect an eruption."
Some may remember the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull that occurred back in 2010 disrupting air travel in Europe by sending a huge ash plume into the atmosphere. Some historians and scientists believe that a Bárðarbunga eruption was responsible for causing worldwide droughts, famine, and choking haze in the winter of 1783, according to the Daily Kos.
In a statement to Reuters yesterday, Iceland's MET office announced that it has raised the aviation color code to orange, its second highest rating, in preparation for a possible eruption. Roads surrounding the volcanic system have also been closed. Bárðarbunga is located below Iceland's Vatnajökull glacier and experts say that if it erupts, massive flooding not seen since 1996 could occur in the surrounding region.
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