Volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson from the University of Iceland and a team of scientists recently discovered a more than 50-square-kilometre volcano off the Reykjanes peninsula, in southwest Iceland, and expect it to erupt at any time. In the centre of the volcano there is a caldera measuring ten kilometres in diameter. The volcanologist stated that, “people shouldn’t be surprised if there would be an extensive volcanic eruption underwater there soon. Nothing has happened for hundreds of years and it is in fact only a matter of time before there will be an eruption,”.
Since the volcano is at a depth of 1,500 metres eruptions would not have any effect on Iceland, except perhaps causing minor earthquakes. The volcano’s discovery is considered significant because geographers believed it couldn’t exist in that area. “Such large volcanoes are not typically located on oceanic ridges. They are always drifting apart and that prevents a volcano from being created. This is why the volcano’s existence came as such a surprise,” Höskuldsson said. In summer, Höskuldsson and his team will present the conclusions of their studies at the annual conference of the International Association of Volcanologists, which will be held in Iceland. Nine hundred people have already registered for the conference. In summer 2009 they plan use a small submarine to undertake more detailed research of the underwater volcano.
Remember, Discover the World has a 'Volcano Hotline' which springs into action (running special trips) as volcanoes errupt in this active geothermal area. Thanks to its unique position on the edge of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland has a wealth of volcanoes which dot the landscape - yet another reason to visit this spectacular country.
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