Volcano+Eyjafjöll

On the 31st of March, a fissure had opened on Volcano Eyjafjoll. Lava flowed over and estimated area of 1.3 sq km and were and average of 10-20 meters thick.

After minor changes in deformation rates during the eruption, on April 9th deformation returned to pre-eruption levels. On April 11, eruptive activity was observed but tremor decreased to baseline the next day.

On April 13, a seismic swarm was detected below the central part of Eyjafjoll, at the west of the previous eruption fissures. An hour later, seismic tremor told of an eruption from a new vent at the south rim of the central caldera capped by the Eyjafjoll glacier. The eruption was visually confirmed early in the morning on the 14th of April. An eruption plume rose at least 8km above the glacier. The water that had melted flowed to the north and south. The eruption had melted 200m in diameter, near the summit. Scientists that were flying over saw a new 2km long, north-south trending fissure and ashfall towards the east. 700 people were evacuated from the area, and certain flights were banned from flying at the north or east of the eruption area. Flooding also occurred, causing road closures and some structural damage.

At the 20th of March, high rates of deformation and increased seismic activity were noted during the past three weeks. Earthquakes were also located between 7 and 10km below the surface. During March 19-20, earthquakes migrated E and became more shallow, at about 4-7km deep. At 22:30 on March 20, seismicity increased and in two hours, a volcanic eruption was reported.

A report on May 2nd stated that during the precious 2-3 days, ash plumes had become darker and wider than in the previous week. Explosivity had increased, and tephra fall-out had also increased. The location of the steam plume north of the crater indicated that lava flow had advanced more than 3km from the crater. Ashfall was reported in an area 40km SouthEast. The scoria cone at the crater continued to built. Conditions on 3rd May were similar. The largest eruption plume rose to an altitude of 5.5km. Ashfall was noticed 65-70 KM, and ash plumes were seen over the village of Vik, 40km SouthEast.

On May 4th, ash plumes rose above the crater and steam plumes rose from the north flank. Lava had traveled 4km North from the crater, and lava was shot a few hundred meters from the crater. Ashfall was reported in areas 65-80km ESE, cutting visibility to less than a few km. According to news reports, airports throughout Ireland were temporarily shut down on May 4th due to ash-plume hazards.