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Report on Fagradalsfjall (Iceland) — 30 June-6 July 2021


Fagradalsfjall

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 June-6 July 2021
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2021. Report on Fagradalsfjall (Iceland) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 June-6 July 2021. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (30 June-6 July 2021)

Fagradalsfjall

Iceland

63.895°N, 22.258°W; summit elev. 250 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


The fissure eruption in the W part of the Krýsuvík-Trölladyngja volcanic system, close to Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula, periodically continued during 30 June-6 July. Lava fountaining and overflows from the fifth vent were occasionally visible, and lava from the crater flowed in tubes as well as on the surface. Occasional rim collapses generated minor ash plumes on 2 July based on footage captured by a visitor. A longest pause in the eruption so far, also reflected in seismic data, began near midnight on 5 July and ended early on 7 July according to a news source. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange due to the lack of ash and tephra emissions, though IMO warned of the potential for lapilli and scoria fallout within a 650 m radius of the active vent. Authorities warned of increased gas emissions hazards.

Geological Summary. Although the Fagradalsfjall fissure swarm has previously been considered a split or secondary swarm of the Krýsuvík–Trölladyngja volcanic system, as of September 2022 Icelandic volcanologists managing the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes made the decision to identify it as a distinct separate system. The recent eruptions and related reports have been reassigned here, and other content will be prepared and adjusted as appropriate.

Sources: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), The Environment Agency of Iceland, mbl.is, GutnTog