Hekla 1491-m de haut est un des volcans les plus éminents et la plus connues et actives l'Islande. Il a fréquentes éruptions qui commencent par une apparition explosive produisant des panaches de l'éruption, puis les fontaines de lave et aboutissant à des coulées de lave grand. La plupart des flancs du volcan est couverts par des coulées de lave vaste d'éruptions historiques, qui remonte à 1104 AD.
GPS-measured deformation of HEKR station (Univ. Iceland), north of the volcano
Map of GPS stations on Hekla
The famous Icelandic volcano is showing further signs that indicate an eruption could occur in a near future. Significant rapid inflation, concentrated in the northern part of the volcano, has been detected since early April and likely represents accumulation of rising magma underneath. ...plus
Already in mid March this year, an earthquake swarm, volcanic tremor and deformation caused an alert, because it was believed that this was caused by rapid movement of magma under the volcano. The last eruption of the volcano was in March 2000, and it is estimated that by now, a significantly larger volume of magma has since then accumulated beneath the volcano. This would mean that a new eruption should be expected to be larger than the last one. Hekla's eruptions normally begin with a powerful explosive phase, and could pose a significant hazard to anyone in close (less than 10 km) proximity during the onset of it. [moins]
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has informed authorities about unusual seismicity at Hekla volcano, which could be a precursor to a new eruption, and increased the volcanic alert level to yellow. Monitoring of the volcano will be intensified, as Hekla is not only one of the most active, but also one of the potentially most hazardous volcanoes of the country. The last eruption was in March 2000. On average, the volcano has been erupting about every 10 years, and it would statistically seen be due for a new one. ...plus
"Uncertainty level" was declared by Civil Protection as the lowest of 3 alert levels in case of natural hazards. [moins]
Small earthquakes continue to occur around and beneath the volcano. At the moment, it does not seem a significant increase and we have no other data suggesting that the volcano should erupt soon (although it very well could).
A new published study presents measurements of inflation cycles at Hekla volcano, suggesting that Hekla is ready for another eruption. ...plus
Hekla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes and usually erupts very explosively, followed by large discharges of magma. Its last eruption occurred from 26 February to 8 March 2000 when about 0.19 km3 of magma was erupted. Statistically, Hekla erupts on average every 10 years and it is now also on the "waiting list". [moins]
