Electrical conductivity at Múlakvísl reaches highest level since 2017

Electrical conductivity at Múlakvísl has reached its highest level since 2017, while sulfur pollution remains well above health protection limits, mbl.is reports. People are being warned against entering the area.

It is still too early to determine whether the glacial outburst flood in Múlakvísl has reached its peak, said Sigríður Magnea Óskarsdóttir, a natural hazard specialist at the Icelandic Met Office.

“The situation is very similar. Conductivity remains high, and gas levels are also still high, although they have fallen since last night,” Sigríður Magnea said. She said it would be best to wait through Thursday before concluding whether the flood had reached its maximum.

The river’s surface has risen only slightly, and the water level is not high enough to threaten roads. The flow is nevertheless still substantial.

Sigríður Magnea said conductivity at this level had not been recorded since a similar flood in 2017. The measurement indicates activity in the geothermal system beneath Mýrdalsjökull, which is clearing itself. Seismic activity remains little or non-existent.

A small amount of unrest was recorded on Wednesday evening. Sigríður Magnea said it was connected to boiling in the geothermal system and water moving down through the glacier. Similar activity has previously been observed during floods elsewhere in Skálm or Emstrum, as well as at Skaftárkatlar.

No unrest pulse has been measured beneath Mýrdalsjökull on Thursday, and Sigríður Magnea said there is currently nothing to indicate that an eruption will occur beneath the glacier.