Iceland Faces Potential Bárdarbunga Volcanic Eruption Under Largest European Glacier

Experts warn of possible catastrophic floods and ash clouds following recent seismic activity under the Vatnajökull glacier.

A series of 130 earthquakes, including one with a magnitude of 5.1, was recorded near the Bárdarbunga volcano under Iceland's Vatnajökull glacier.
Magma accumulation about 10 kilometers below the surface suggests increasing pressure that could lead to an eruption, though the timing remains uncertain.
If the volcano erupts beneath the glacier, experts warn it could trigger massive floods and generate ash clouds similar to the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.
The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency has declared an 'uncertainty phase' to monitor potential threats to people, infrastructure, and the environment.
While lessons learned from the 2010 eruption may mitigate disruptions to air travel, the Bárdarbunga system poses a larger-scale risk due to its size and location.