RagnarHeidar

RagnarHeidar, 2 months ago to random

Yet another eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula this evening. As previously a very short notice in terms of monitoring. Lava now flows East of #Grindavík that is protected by barriers. Another front is heading towards #svartsengi on the same path as previous lava flow that destroyed the hot water pipeline. Currently it has to cover about 800 m before reaching the temporary pipeline built after the previous eruption.

RagnarHeidar, 2 months ago to Iceland

As we wait eagerly for the next eruption we try to prepare as best as we can. One of the tasks we have been focusing on is being able to detect and locate the start of a fissure eruption very quickly. We have now re-located our Leonardo METOR mobile weather radar to the top of Húsafell just east of #Grindavík

The exact fissure location is key for those responsible for infrastructure and their response during the first phase of an eruption.

#iceland #icelandicmetoffice #eruption

RagnarHeidar, 2 months ago to random

What is the level of risk acceptability you ask?

Iceland:

RagnarHeidar, 2 months ago to Iceland

Although we are not out of the woods yet, it seems that we had an intrusion event without an eruption yesterday. This happened multiple times in the Krafla fires in 1975-1984. Below is our most recent inflation graph and a figure from Einarsson and Brandsdóttir 2021 describing the seismicity of the northern volcanic zone of Iceland:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.628967/full#:~:text=The%20four%20central%20volcanoes%20at,absent%2C%20except%20during%20rifting%20episodes

#Grindavík #iceland #eruption

image/png

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to Iceland

This graph was published yesterday by the Met Office. It is based on a model by my very talented coworker Vincent Drouin. The graph describes the different inflation periods at Svartsengi and is based on 24 hr. GNSS solutions. I can't think of a simpler description of these events. Yes, we’ve had different sized lava flows and slightly different locations of eruptive fissures. But this inflation rhythm is quite remarkable.

#iceland #Grindavík #eruption

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to Iceland

Our GNSS stations at #Askja are slowly coming back online as more and more sunlight is available for the solar panels. Inflation is still being observed although there was a change in rate during the fall months. Recently a new paper was published on this inflation period that started in July 2021. This includes modelling two different inflating sources at different depths using both GNSS and #Sentinel1 data.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL106730

#iceland #insar

Three graphs showing data from a GNSS station near Askja volcanic caldera. Graphs show trends that indicate an inflating source.

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to Iceland

Some weekend mapping

The area of the 7 most recent lava fields in #iceland and the number of days the eruption lasted

#qgis

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to random

Just got back from a vacation and completely missed the recent #eruption near Svartsengi. This turned out to be a devastating eruption, damaging the main hot water pipeline from the power plant, making district heating unavailable for tens of thousands of homes.

Another thing that happened was that my talented coworkers and collaborators published an article in Science covering the massive November 10-11 dike intrusion: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn2838

Also include a very nice block diagram 👇🏻

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to random

We now estimate that 9 million m³ of magma have accumulated near Svartsengi since last eruption. This is based on modeling with both #InSAR and #GNSS data.

During the previous eruption the volume loss from the same reservoir is estimated at 9-13 million m³. Image is #sentinel1 unwrapped #interferogram covering 23 Jan – 4 Feb.

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to Iceland

I always find it interesting looking at maps made by others using data that I´m familiar with. After the November 10-11 dike intrusion, the Icelandic Civil Defense activated the Emergency Response Coordination Centre which is part of the European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations. They have now published a few maps using data that we have supplied. Some of these are absolutely packed with information. Too much perhaps?

#gischat #iceland #eruption #Grindavik

Situation map showing an area of volcanic unrest in Iceland near the town of Grindavik
Situation map showing an area of volcanic unrest in Iceland near the town of Grindavik
Situation map showing an area of volcanic unrest in Iceland near the town of Grindavik

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to Dragonlance

We issued a new hazard map today for the #Svartsengi - #Grindavik area. We are inching towards another intrusion it seems. Results from modelling indicate we might reach a similar inflating volume we had before the last eruption on the 14 January in a few days. We expect a seismic swarm as a precursor, but the time between swarm onset and eruption is uncertain. For the previous two eruptions we got 90 minutes and 5 hours.

More info in english: https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night

#eruption #hazard #map

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to Weather

Love playing with GRIB files (weather forecast data) and animating the different parameters. This is wind at 10 m above surface with both vector arrows and continuous color mesh for the strength.

#QGIS #MDAL #weather #forecast #iceland #GRIB

Animated map showing wind forecast

RagnarHeidar, 3 months ago to random

Morning commute 👌🏻

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to random

As the #Grímsvötn glacier flood recedes a new glacier cauldron appeared on a #sentinel2 image acquired yesterday. Here we see it compared to an image acquired on November 7th last year. It is common for cauldrons to appear over the sub-glacier flood path. There is another cualdron right next to it which appeared after the 2021 flood. We keep track of these cauldrons for scientific purposes and more importantly for sefety reasons for glacier travelers.

A pair of satellite images showing part of Vatnajökull glacier where a glacier cauldron appears on one of them

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to Geology

Elevation difference map (vertical displacement) based on two different acquisitions by our remote sensing team. These area base on two DEMs spanning 1 Dec. to 15 Jan. covering the latest eruption in #Grindavík

Reds:

• New lava fields
• Lava barriers

Blues:

• Quarry for barriers
• Barrier entrenchment
• Graben formation

#geology #mapping #qgis #eruption #iceland

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to random

Second eruption near #Grindavík ongoing. The eruptive fissure is closer to the town than the first eruption and has now cut the lava barrier that was being constructed. Photos for the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Civil Protection.

eruptrion in near Grindavík
eruptrion in near Grindavík
eruptrion in near Grindavík

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to random

🧵 1/2 Grímsvötn volcanic system

This morning an M4.3 earthquake occurred at Grímsvötn, a very active volcanic system within Vatnajökull glacier consisting of an ice filled caldera. Glacier outburst floods are common when geothermal meltwater escapes the caldera lake with the two previous floods occurring in 2021 and 2022. In some cases, these floods have led to an eruption thought to be triggered by the pressure release of water leaving the caldera. This happened in 2004 for example.

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to random

The rate of inflation at #Svatsengi has now decreased enough so it cannot be seen on these pair of 24 hr. Interferograms from COSMO-SkyMed.

#InSAR #interferogram #SAR #Reykjanes #CSK

An unwrapped interferogram showing the Reykjanes peninsula
A wrapped interferogram showing the Reykjanes peninsula
An unwrapped interferogram showing the Reykjanes peninsula

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to random

These are the last measurements of our GNSS station SUND which was destroyed by lava on the 18th of December near Sundhnúksgígar crater row. As can be seen there is a sharp southwest jump + uplift just before the crack of doom. I made a snarky joke during a meeting that it was trying to run away from the lava. The joke was fairly well received.

Making jokes during times of crisis might not seem appropriate. But it is very helpful in combatting stress and then re-focusing on the task at hand.

RagnarHeidar, 4 months ago to Iceland

Happy new year everyone!

Just over 31.600 earthquakes in #Iceland in during 2023 animated

Made with #qgis + #python

#Reykjanes peninsula version below

An animated map showing earthquakes for the year 2023 in Iceland

RagnarHeidar, 5 months ago to random

We finally managed to publish an English version of the volcanic hazard map for #Grindavik

Out of all the map I´ve made at the Icelandic Met Office this series of hazard maps is the biggest one yet in terms of impact, internal discussion, public discussion and weight it bears and all the decision that are made based on it. I see this map all over the internet, TikTok, YouTube thumbnails, Facebook, you name it. There is probably enough material for an extended conference talk just about this map

RagnarHeidar, 5 months ago to Iceland

Although the eruption activity has diminished quite fast, it's not over yet. Also, the start of this eruption was absolutely massive. Let us compare lava area with the previous eruptions at #Fagradalsfjall and number of eruptive days with this one.

#qgis #eruption #iceland #grindavik