Civil Protection Department

Iceland volcano: updates, 22 April

The eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull continues but with reduced explosive activity. The eruption rate seems to have decreased compared to recent days, and today is estimated to less than 30 m3/s of magma. The more northerly of the two craters in the summit caldera of the Icelandic volcano is still active, with today’s volcanic plume reaching heights of 3 km.

This is the data released today by the Institute of Earth Sciences, one of the reference sources for the technical-scientific analysis Group, entrusted by the Operations Committee of 18 April to collect and summarise data on the eruption of the Icelandic volcano and the evolution of the ash cloud.
The volcanic tremor recorded by the Icelandic Meteorological Office, despite some fluctuation, is mainly stable.

During the night, a slight increase in the waters flowing into the Markarfljót river was recorded. This is most likely caused by melting ice from the glacier still present on the volcano.

VAG Map, Volcanic Advisory Graphic, last updated at 12 noon, 22 April
The VAG Map shows the areas possibly affected by the spread of ash plumes by altitude