The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police has declared an uncertainty phase in collaboration with the District Chief of Police in South Iceland, due to increased activity in Öræfajökull volcano. Civil Protection uncertainty phase/level is characterized by an event which has already started and could lead to a threat to people, communities or the environment. At this stage the collaboration and coordination between the Civil Protection Authorities and stakeholders begins. Monitoring, assessment, research and evaluation of the situation is increased. The event is defined and a hazard assessment is conducted regularly. The Icelandic Metrological Office has changed the aviation colour-code from „green“ to „yellow“ for Öræfajökull which means that the volcano is experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels. Colour codes, which are in accordance with recommended International Civil Aviation Organisation procedures, are intended to inform the aviation sector about a volcano’s status.
Scientists from Icelandic Metrological Office, the Earth Sciences Institute of the University of Iceland and the Icelandic Civil Protection Authority flew over Öræfajökull Saturday 18 November to assess ice-surface changes in the volcano’s caldera. They have been meeting over the weekend to analyze recent measurements and assess the situation.