Logo link to homepage

Report on Fagradalsfjall (Iceland) — 28 July-3 August 2021


Fagradalsfjall

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 28 July-3 August 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, 28 July-3 August 2021. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (28 July-3 August 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, continued during 28 July-3 August. Lava fountaining and overflows from the fifth vent occurred at intervals of 10-15 hours, with similarly long periods of no activity in between; this pattern emerged around 17 July. According to the Institute of Earth Sciences an overflight was conducted on 27 July; based on new measurements, the lava effusion rate averaged 11 cubic meters per second during 2-27 July, though the average since 17 July was likely lower. The area of the flow field had grown to 4.3 square kilometers, and the total volume erupted was 109 million cubic meters. Lava flowed into the Meradalir Valley and areas to the W and did not advance in the Geldingadalur, Nátthaga, and Sydri Meradalir (SE of the fifth vent) valleys. The flows in Meradalir thickened about 1 m per day. 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 also warned of 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), Institute of Earth Sciences