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An " unusually prominent " ice vent in Iceland could be about to muff after more than 130 earthquakes strike the region in a five - time of day period , expert say .
The seism swarm began in the northwestern region of Iceland ’s Bárðarbungavolcanoat 6:00 a.m. local time Tuesday morning ( Jan. 14 ) , with the largest reach a order of magnitude of 5.1 at 8:05 a.m , theIcelandic Met Office ( IMO)said in a statement on Jan. 14 .
" The volcano is outstandingly heavy , with several potential scenario for future ontogenesis , " IMO representatives said .
When did the Bárðarbunga last erupt?
The Bárðarbunga volcano organization , which lie along Iceland ’s Eastern Volcanic Zone , is the longest and one of the most active volcanic systems in Iceland , grant to IMO . The area value about 120 miles ( 190 kilometers ) long and 16 miles ( 25 km ) astray and is formed around a central volcano , also called Bárðarbunga , which reaches 6,598 ft ( 2,009 meter ) above sea grade . The volcano is mostly covered by a glacier , and its 25 - straightforward - mile ( 65 square klick ) caldera is fill up with ice .
The vent ’s most recent eruption — from August 2014 through to February 2015 — wasthe largest outbreak in Iceland for more than 300 year . The eruption began when a heavy crevice opened up about 30 miles ( 45 km ) northeast of the volcano ’s caldera and created a bombastic lava flying field known as Holuhraun , which translates to " the hollow lava , " according toVisit Iceland .
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The blast open lava across an expanse large than Manhattan Island andspewed toxic gasacross Iceland and Europe . The recent swarm of earthquakes is the most significant activeness from the volcano since this eruption , IMO representatives say .
Bárðarbunga is a stratovolcano — a eccentric of strobilus - determine vent , also known as a composite vent , that can suffer violent , explosive eruption . However , the IMO said that it was hard to predict exactly how the vent ’s activity would develop at this pointedness .
What will happen if the Bárðarbunga volcano erupts?
" Bárðarbunga is unique in that it is an unusually heavy volcanic system , part covered by a glacier , and several scenario are possible , " IMO representatives said .
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One possibility is that eruptions will occur outside of the vent ’s caldera , similar to the late outbreak in 2014 . However , the vent could erupt beneath the glacier within the caldera itself , potentially activate explosive ash tree emissions and glacial outburst flood .
The quake swarm comes on the back of months of increased seismic activity from the volcano .
IMO is monitoring the area closely , the serving notice in the statement .
