FOUR of Iceland's volcanoes are on the brink of erupting

With 130 volcanoes - active or inactive - Iceland is one of the most intensely volcanic areas in the world.

An expert warned today that four of the largest volcanoes in the country are priming to erupt, that could lead to travel chaos.

Volcanoes in question are Katla, Hekla, Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn - of which three are already entered into eruption during the past 20 years.

The warning follows the explosive 2010 eruption of the volcano in Iceland Eyjafjöll, which caused more than 10 million passengers to be blocked and cost an estimated £4 billion ($ 4.9 billion) to the European economy

With 130 volcanoes, the Iceland is one of the most intensely volcanicplaces in the world. Pictured is the Bárðarbunga volcano during its last eruption in 2014

Pall Einarsson, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik said the Iceland: 'Four of the Iceland volcanoes show increased activity for another eruption amounts.'

Katla

Katla is the less active volcano recently of the four, with the last eruption was in 1918.

But according to the Global Volcanism Program, Katla has shown signs of unrest recently, with earthquakes in September crossed the bar of the three size.

This level of earthquakes could be enough to send magma upward through the crust and burst through the surface.

Speaking to the Iceland review, Kristin Jónsdóttir, Program Director risks at the Icelandic Met Office said: "it's been long that Katla has entered into eruption, and it might as well end up on a rash. It is simply impossible to tell right now.

Another concern is melting under the ice cap of the glacier Mýrdalsjökull, where Katla, which, if it occurred, would cause a flood ice age explosion.

MS Jonsdottir added, "it might as well die down, and nothing would not result. We can simply not at this stage.

Katla showed signs of unrest recently, with earthquakes in September, exceeding the magnitude 3 mark

Volcanoes in question are Katla, Hekla, Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn - of which three are already entered into eruption during the past 20 years

Despite the fears of Katla erupting, Ms Jónsdóttir added: 'I think we're all ready for her when she comes. This is well organized.'

Hekla

Hekla, otherwise known as the "gate of hell" is located in the southern part of the country and has been quiet for 16 years.

But the data collected in June last year showed it accumulates in magma, and its internal pressure is currently higher than before his last two previous eruptions.

The volcano has entered into eruption about once all 10 years, from 1970 to 2000, but has remained dormant since.

Professor Einarsson said the Vísit Icelandic press agency, that people should stop visiting the volcano, which is a popular tourist destination, due to an increase in the risk of eruption.

"Hekla is a dangerous volcano," said Professor Einarsson.
"We could look at a major disaster when the next eruption starts if we are not careful."

Hekla is located in the southern part of the country, and has been quiet for 16 years. But the data collected in June last year revealed that it accumulates in magma


The 4,892-foot (1,491-metre) mountain last erupted in February 2000.

'Hekla is ready – at any moment,' Professor Einarsson said.

'There are also 20-30 planes full of passengers flying right over the top of Hekla every day,' he warns.

Bárðarbunga

Bárðarbunga is the most recently-active volcano of the four.

In 2014, a record-breaking volcanic eruption spewed lava and ash over Iceland's Highlands for nearly six months, leaving behind the largest caldera formation ever observed.



Bárðarbunga eruption was the strongest of its kind in Europe in more than 240 years and released two volcanic material cubic kilometers.

The volcano showed signs of agitation once again, with several earthquakes measuring the magnitude of three or more.

This suggests that magma could be build up below the surface, which could lead to another eruption soon.

Grímsvöt

Grímsvötn is very close to Bárðarbunga and is likely to be driven by the source of the magma.
In 2011, Grímsvötn erupted, sending a huge plume of ash into the sky, which led to several flights being grounded.

Like its neighbour, Grímsvötn saw seismic activity on the rise, suggesting that it could break out again in the near future.

While all four volcanoes are closely monitored by geophysicists, it is very difficult to predict who will burst, exactly when and the extent of the eruption.

In 2011, Grimsvotn erupted, sending a huge plume of ash into the skies, that led to several flights being grounded