Waiting for a Volcanic Eruption in Iceland

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Geology, Earth and Space Sciences, Earth Systems

Ed Hessler

The BBC reports that Iceland "has recorded more than 50000 earthquakes in the past three weeks. This unusual activity indicates a volcanic eruption is on the way." Iceland experiences frequent earthquakes but this is way out of the ordinary.

BBC's Jean McMacKenzie visited and this video (2m 38s) shows the area and includes comments by government officials and scientists. This time is, as the Prime Minister said, almost in understatement, "stressful." I can only imagine. The eruption is not expected to be explosive. And with respect to a warning: minutes is what will be given by the volcano.