Thread by @lavademics

📢 Update on the 2022 #Fagradalsfjall #eruption on #reykjanes:

Except for continuous degassing, no activity was observed at the vents since 6am of 21/08/2022. It is likely that eruption from the vents is over. But, any of 2-3 scenarios could be unfolding. More info 👇(1/7)

The eruption lingered on throughout the night of 20/08/2022. The glow from the northern vent, and from the lava creek flowing out of the lava pond to the SE, lit up the gas plume that rose from the crater. The glow from the lava creek diminished during the night. (2/7)

The northern vent maintained a glow until daybreak yesterday (i.e., until 4am on 21/08/2022). At around 5am, this vent ejected glowing magma blebs (spatter bombs) in several discrete explosions, over a period of 15 minutes. The bombs breached the crater rim (photo). (3/7)

Just before 6am yesterday (21/08/2022), a dense bluish-grey plume rose from the crater. At the same time, the seismic tremor stopped. Whilst eruption from the vents within the crater is likely over, it remains to be seen whether lava continues to flow from the lava pond. (4/7)

If lava flow from the pond ceases, then the eruption likely ended around 6am on 21/08/2022. If lava is still flowing from the pond, then there could be two possible explanations. See rest of thread below for the two scenarios. (5/7)

Scenario 1: There is still enough lava stored in the pond to maintain an outflow of lava. If that's the case, then outflow should decrease significantly over the next 12 hours. (6/7)

Scenario 2: Magma is still flowing from the feeding conduit, but going straight into the pond (i.e., bypassing the vents in the crater). In that case, the #eruption would not be over yet. (7/7)