The earthquakes are said to be a strong indication of magma movement underneath the surface, and scientists do not rule out that an eruption might occur.

Bardarbunga is one of Iceland's largest volcanoes, and is completely covered by Vatnajokull glacier. A series of earthquakes at Bardarbunga led to eruptions underneath the glacier in 1996, triggering colossal floods in southern Iceland, causing major damage to local infrastructure.

If the volcano were to erupt today, a likely course of a flood, caused by the melting of the glacier, would be into the river Jokulsa a Fjollum, which flows to the north.

Volcanic eruptions are frequent in Iceland, though they seldom cause harm to human lives. The last volcanic eruption in Iceland was in 2011, when Grimsvotn, another subglacial volcano, spew a plume of ash 12 km (7 mi) into the air, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights internationally. A more notable eruption occured the year before, at Eyjafjallajokull volcano, causing a major disruption of European and transatlantic flights.

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This story, by the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV), was updated on 18 August 2014, at 17:16 GMT.

Updates in English will be posted at: ruv.is/volcano





A statement from the Icelandic Meteorological Service:

The intense seismic activity that started on 16 of August at Bárðarbunga persists. Very strong indications of ongoing magma movement, in connection with dyke intrusion, is corroborated by GPS measurements. There are currently two swarms: one to the E of Bárðarbunga caldera and one at the edge of Dyngjujökull just E of Kistufell. At 2.37 am on the 18th a strong earthquake (M4) was located in the Kistufell swarm.

This is the strongest earthquake measured in the region since 1996. As evidence of magma movement shallower than 10 km implies increased potential of a volcanic eruption, the Bárðarbunga aviation color code has been changed to orange. Presently there are no signs of eruption, but it cannot be excluded that the current activity will result in an explosive subglacial eruption, leading to an outburst flood (jökulhlaup) and ash emission. The situation is monitored closely.