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The eruption in Fagradalsfjall (2021, Iceland): how the operational monitoring and the volcanic hazard assessment contributed to its safe access

Author

Listed:
  • S. Barsotti

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • M. M. Parks

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • M. A. Pfeffer

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • B. A. Óladóttir

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • T. Barnie

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • M. M. Titos

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office
    University of Granada)

  • K. Jónsdóttir

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • G. B. M. Pedersen

    (University of Iceland)

  • Á. R. Hjartardóttir

    (University of Iceland)

  • G. Stefansdóttir

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • T. Johannsson

    (Environment Agency of Iceland)

  • Þ. Arason

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • M. T. Gudmundsson

    (University of Iceland)

  • B. Oddsson

    (Department of Civil Protection)

  • R. H. Þrastarson

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • B. G. Ófeigsson

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • K. Vogfjörd

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • H. Geirsson

    (University of Iceland)

  • T. Hjörvar

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • S. Löwis

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • G. N. Petersen

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

  • E. M. Sigurðsson

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

Abstract

After more than a year of unrest, a small effusive eruption commenced in Fagradalsfjall, Iceland, on 19 March 2021. The eruption lasted six months. The first six weeks were characterized by multiple fissure openings, and the remainder was dominated by effusive activity from a single crater. During the eruption, lava and low-level gases propagated over the complex terrain: a hyaloclastite massif with mountain peaks up to about 350 m asl with valleys in between. The area is uninhabited, but easily accessible at about 30 km distance from Reykjavík. While the eruption was ongoing, more than 356,000 tourists visited the eruptive site. To maintain low risk access to the area, it was critical to monitor the eruption (including opening of new fissures) in real-time, forecast the transport of gas and lava flow emplacement, and assess the evolving hazards. In addition to data accessibility and interpretation, managing this volcanic crisis was possible thanks to strong collaboration between the scientific institutions and civil protection agencies. The eruption presented an opportunity to tune, test and validate a variety of numerical models for hazard assessment as well as to refine and improve the delivery of information to the general public, communities living near the eruption site and decision makers. The monitoring team worked long hours during both the pre- and syn-eruptive phases for identifying low risk access areas to the eruption site and to provide a regular flow of information. This paper reviews the eruption and its associated hazards. It also provides an overview of the monitoring setup, the adopted numerical tools and communication materials disseminated to the general public regarding current exclusion zones, hazards and possible future eruptive scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Barsotti & M. M. Parks & M. A. Pfeffer & B. A. Óladóttir & T. Barnie & M. M. Titos & K. Jónsdóttir & G. B. M. Pedersen & Á. R. Hjartardóttir & G. Stefansdóttir & T. Johannsson & Þ. Arason & M. T. G, 2023. "The eruption in Fagradalsfjall (2021, Iceland): how the operational monitoring and the volcanic hazard assessment contributed to its safe access," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(3), pages 3063-3092, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:116:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-022-05798-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05798-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Freysteinn Sigmundsson & Andrew Hooper & Sigrún Hreinsdóttir & Kristín S. Vogfjörd & Benedikt G. Ófeigsson & Elías Rafn Heimisson & Stéphanie Dumont & Michelle Parks & Karsten Spaans & Gunnar B. Gudmu, 2015. "Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bárðarbunga volcanic system, Iceland," Nature, Nature, vol. 517(7533), pages 191-195, January.
    2. Hanne Krage Carlsen & Evgenia Ilyinskaya & Peter J. Baxter & Anja Schmidt & Throstur Thorsteinsson & Melissa Anne Pfeffer & Sara Barsotti & Francesca Dominici & Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir & Th, 2021. "Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Amy Donovan & Melissa Pfeffer & Talfan Barnie & Georgina Sawyer & Tjarda Roberts & Baldur Bergsson & Evgenia Ilyinskaya & Nial Peters & Iris Buisman & Arní Snorrason & Vitchko Tsanev & Clive Oppenheim, 2023. "Insights into volcanic hazards and plume chemistry from multi-parameter observations: the eruptions of Fimmvörðuháls and Eyjafjallajökull (2010) and Holuhraun (2014–2015)," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 119(1), pages 463-495, October.

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