<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/lavafield_1.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/lavafield_1.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/lavafield_1.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > Taken on January 3, 2015, this image captures the spread of the Holuhraun lava flow, which now covers an area of 32 square miles. (NASA Earth Observatory) (NASA Earth Observatory)

It's larger than the entire island of Manhattan and it's the biggest they've seen in centuries.

For over four months now, the Icelandic Highlands, which make up most of the country's interior and are largely uninhabitable, have seen a constant eruption of lava that continues to spread, bringing with it massive amounts of sulfur dioxide and hundreds of earthquakes.

The current eruption, at a lava field known as Holuhraun, is the largest in Iceland since the Laki eruptions in the 1780s. Those eruptions were so long-lasting and widespread that they indirectly killed off nearly a quarter of Iceland's population .

(MORE: Thrill-Seeker Roasts Marshmallow Over a Volcano )

In the images above and below, NASA's Landsat 8 satellite captured the growth of the Holuhraun lava field , which has spread to 32 square miles since its initial eruption in August 2014.

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/lavafield2_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/lavafield2_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/lavafield2_0.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > This photo, taken on September 6, 2014, shows how the lava flow looked at the beginning of its now months-long eruption. (NASA Earth Observatory ) (NASA Earth Observatory )

Although the flow shows no signs of stopping soon, it is slowing down. John Stevenson, a University of Edinburgh volcanologist, explained in his blog how scientists know the eruption is weaker than it was four months ago . For one, Holuhraun's caldera -- collapsed land above an empty magma chamber -- is now sinking at a rate of about 10 inches per day from an initial rate of 31 inches per day.

Earthquakes, which were previously a daily occurrence at the lava field, are now happening on a weekly basis. Scientists have also noticed that the heat transferring to the surface (known as heat flux) is dropping.

"This doesn’t mean that the eruption will stop soon. Like the weakening spray from an aerosol can, the eruption rate declines exponentially. The lower the flow, the more slowly it declines,” Stevenson said.

As Iceland Magazine reports, some scientists say the eruption could continue for years , which is sure to mean more stunning photography from NASA's Earth Observatory.

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