Sees another possible scenario in the Sundhnúkagígar crater row system

Volcanologist Þor­vald­ur Þór­ðar­son accepts the announcement by the Icelandic Met Office of increased inflation at Sund­hnúkagígar crater row with reservations. He doesn’­t think­ that a volcanic eruption will occur in the area any time soon.

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New magma run or another volcanic eruption likely in the next weeks

“Inflation in Svartsengi began about four days after the last eruption, but it has been quite slow up to now,” Þórðarson told mbl.is.

“However, I don’t see an increase in inflation based on the data I have and I can’t see that the inflation is growing at the same rate as it was in the days leading up to previous volcanic eruptions. Therefore, I’m taking all this with a grain of salt,” Þórðarson added.

“We don’t know how the pipes are down there”

He says that he isn’t stating that the Met Office’s interpretation is wrong, but points out that other factors also play a role in whether a new eruption will occur in coming weeks. For example, a new eruption in Svartsengi is only possible if the shallower magma chamber there fills up to the tolerance level, but Þórðarson says it’s unlikely that this will happen any time soon.

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Magma accumulation will likely increase

“We don’t know how the pipes are down there. If we look at the big picture, the flow from the deeper magma chamber to the shallower has been steadily decreasing. The decrease in magma flow to the shallower magma chamber is faster than the increase in inflation in Svartsengi. Given that, it’s just as likely that it will stop erupting there,” Þórðarson says, adding, “

“It means that all volcanic eruptions at the Sundhnúkagígar crater row system cease. This is one possible interpretation from the data I have, but the interpretation reflects just the quality of the data.”