Holuhraun not safe to reopen
The Holuhraun eruption. Photo: RAX
Geologists on the Scientific Board of Iceland’s main civil-protection organisation cannot recommend opening up the area surrounding the Holuhraun eruption site as things stand. Monitoring of glacial floods and gas pollution will need to be improved before this can happen.
Civil Protection in Iceland (‘Almannavarnir’) bases it decisions to close off certain areas on risk assessments performed by scientists. Since the eruption in Holuhraun ended, many have expected the area to be reopened.
Requirements due today
The Head of Civil Protection under the National Commissioner of Icelandic Police, Víðir Reynisson, has expressed disappointment at the continued closure of the area. According to Reynisson, scientists are due to inform him today of the equipment and monitoring they deem necessary in order to recommend reopening Holuhraun. This information will then be passed on to the relevant government authorities for a decision to be taken.
