Decreased activity and only in two craters
The eruption started at 6 am yesterday, but the activity has been decreasing. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg
The activity of the eruption between Mt Sundhnúkur and Stóra-Skógafell has decreased as the night has passed. Three craters were active in the early part of the night but now the activity seems to be limited to two craters.
This is what the natural hazard specialist at the Icelandic Met Office, Einar Hjörleifsson tells mbl.is.
He says it is difficult to detect the lava flow now and that it will be done this morning.
GPS data will be examined at a meeting at 9.30 today by scientists from the University of Iceland and the Icelandic Meteorological Office, where the situation will be reviewed. Several GPS points have shown a decrease in pressure, as happens when a volcanic eruption starts, but it is not clear whether the expansion will continue.
The Met Office will also meet with the field and regional authorities in Grindavík at 7.30 am. The activity of the night and the weather forecast of the day will be reviewed. The tasks ahead will also be discussed, according to Hjörleifsson.
Expect minor pollution
Birgir Örn Höskuldsson, meteorologist at the Icelandic Met Office, says that some pollution from the volcanic eruption may be observed in the west of Reykjanes peninsula today, but it is not expected to be high. A right-east wind is forecast today, but the wind direction may move from the northeast to the southeast.
