Iceland MPs meet volcano experts to discuss Katla dangers
Glacier river floods are a potential threat if Katla erupts. Photo: Iceland Monitor/RAX
Six experts from the Icelandic Met Office met with members of parliament this morning to discuss the recent earthquakes under the South Iceland volcano of Katla.
The delegation gave the Icelandic Parliament’s Environment and Communications Committee a run-down of the current situation, details of the existing response strategy, and various other pieces of background information.
Two powerful earthquakes struck the famous volcano in the early hours of Monday morning, but there is as yet no indication that an eruption is imminent.
Nevertheless the delegation briefed the Committee on how the IMO would respond to a Katla eruption. The experts explained how a volcanic eruption under an ice cap works, and which areas would likely be affected by any glacier river floods caused.
The Environment and Communications Committee is chaired by Höskuldur Þórhallsson MP. Photo: Norden.org/Heidi Orava
