Grimsvötn, Iceland

Grimsvötn Eruption, November 2004

– Images and Infos by Nordisk vulkanologisk center
– Satellite imagery of the Remote Sensing Research Group of the University of Bern.
– Images
taken by the MODIS Instrument onboard of NASA’s Terra Satellite (hires)

Images from July 1999

Grimsvötn lake is located at the center of the Vatnajökull glacier. Volcanic activity melts ice beneath the surface and the melt water accumulates in Grimsvötn. Normally the lake is not visible as it is hidden below an ice cap several meters thick.

The map on the left shows an area of about 10 x 8 km of the central part of Vatnajökull. The numbers with the red viewing angles refer to the images below. The cross hair marks the eruption site from 1998 markiert (64°24.06’ N, 17°20.19’ W).

Sources:
Björnsson, H., Pálsson, F. and Guðmundsson, M.T. 1992
Vatnajökull, northwestern part, 1:100.000
Glacier surface.
Science Institute, University of Iceland

The Nordic Volcanological Institute

Bild 1: Overview of the cliff Grimsfjall; Grimsvötn is located left of it. The pictures were taken during an overflight in July 1999. The black ash on the ice originates from the eruption in December 1998. For details about this event goto NORDVULK.

Image 2: Detail of the cliff, Summer 1999: Wafts of mist are caused by the sea of cold air over Grimsvötn. The stratification of the ice indicates an eventful volcanic past of this location.

Image 3: Even in ’quiet’ times the glacier is molten from below as this caldera shows. This caldera is about 80m in diameter.

Grænalòn before sunset