Available Weekly Reports
FAQ
| Katla |
Google Earth Placemark
- Iceland
- Iceland (southern)
- Subglacial
- 1918
- Country
- Subregion Name
- Volcano Type
- Last Known Eruption
- 1512 m
4959 ft - 63.630°
- -19.050°
- Elevation
- Latitude
- Longitude
12 October-18 October 2011
The Iceland Met Office reported increased seismic activity within Katla's caldera. Unrest was first noted in July, when a short-lived glacial flood burst from the Myrdalsjökull glacier that covers Katla occurred in connection with increased seismicity. Since then, several hundred micro-earthquakes had taken place within the area of the caldera. On 5 October an intense earthquake swarm was detected. Most of the earthquakes originated at 5 km depth; the largest one was approximately a M 3.7.
Sources:
Icelandic Met Office
2011: July | October |
12 October 2011
Back to TopThe Iceland Met Office reported increased seismic activity within Katla's caldera. Unrest was first noted in July, when a short-lived glacial flood burst from the Myrdalsjökull glacier that covers Katla occurred in connection with increased seismicity. Since then, several hundred micro-earthquakes had taken place within the area of the caldera. On 5 October an intense earthquake swarm was detected. Most of the earthquakes originated at 5 km depth; the largest one was approximately a M 3.7.
Sources: Icelandic Met Office
6 July 2011
Back to TopThe Iceland Met Office and news sources reported that on 9 July a jökulhlaup from Myrdalsjökull, the ice sheet that covers Katla, originated from three ice cauldrons in the SE part of the caldera. During previous weeks microseismicity had been registered near several of the ice cauldrons. Around the time of peak harmonic tremor, in the early evening on 8 July, the Myrdalsjökull flood monitoring system indicated increased conduction. The water level reached the bridge around midnight and damaged the sensors. According to news articles, one new cauldron that had formed, along with cracks in the glacier around the cauldrons, may have been caused by a small eruption at Katla although no evidence of an eruption was observed. The jökulhlaup had destroyed a 128-m-long bridge and caused damage, resulting in the closing of part of the Ring Road. About 200 people were evacuated from the area but allowed to return home later that day. On 10 July the water had subsided and returned to normal levels.
Sources: Icelandic Met Office , Morgunbladid News , Iceland Review , Iceland Review , Iceland Review
Summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).
| Start Date | Stop Date | Eruption Certainty | VEI | Evidence | Activity Area or Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [ 1999 Jul 17 (?) ] | [ 1999 Aug 15 ± 5 days ] | Uncertain | 0 | W, S, and E margins of caldera | |
| [ 1955 Jun 25 ] | [ Unknown ] | Uncertain | 0 | East side of caldera | |
| 1918 Oct 12 | 1918 Nov 4 | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | South side of caldera |
| 1860 May 8 | 1860 May 27 | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1823 Jun 26 | 1823 Jul 23 | Confirmed | 3 | Historical | Arcuate fissure in south part of caldera |
| 1755 Oct 17 | 1756 Feb 13 | Confirmed | 5 | Historical | E-W fissure in center of caldera |
| 1721 May 11 | 1721 Oct 15 ± 45 days | Confirmed | 5 | Historical | |
| 1660 Nov 3 | 1661 | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1625 Sep 2 | 1625 Sep 14 | Confirmed | 5 | Historical | |
| 1612 Oct 12 | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1580 Aug 11 | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1550 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Tephrochronology | |
| 1500 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Tephrochronology | |
| 1450 ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1440 | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1416 | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1357 ± 3 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | SW of Kotlugja |
| 1311 Jan 18 | Unknown | Confirmed | Historical | ||
| 1262 | Unknown | Confirmed | 5 | Historical | |
| 1245 | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| 1210 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Tephrochronology | |
| 1177 ± 2 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Historical | |
| 1150 ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| [ |
[ |
Discredited | |||
| 960 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Tephrochronology | |
| 950 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 934 ± 2 years | 940 (?) | Confirmed | 4 | Ice Core | Eldgjá fissure system (NE flank) |
| 920 | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Historical | |
| [ 904 (?) ] | [ Unknown ] | Uncertain | |||
| 820 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 780 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 680 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 610 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 590 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 540 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 500 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 400 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 290 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 270 ± 12 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Radiocarbon (uncorrected) | Tephra layer YN |
| 260 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 200 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 130 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 30 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 80 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 250 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 370 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 430 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 530 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 550 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 560 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 600 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 650 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 700 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 740 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 780 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 850 BCE ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Radiocarbon (corrected) | Tephra layer UN |
| 860 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 920 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 990 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1160 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1190 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1220 BCE ± 12 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Radiocarbon (corrected) | Tephra layer MN |
| 1280 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1290 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1440 BCE ± 40 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Radiocarbon (corrected) | Tephra layer LN |
| 1540 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1640 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1670 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1700 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1910 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 1920 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Radiocarbon (corrected) | Tephra layer N4 |
| 1950 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2000 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2020 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2050 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2110 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2160 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2190 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2220 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2250 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2420 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2480 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2540 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2680 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 2920 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Tephrochronology | Tephra layer N2 |
| 3180 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3280 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3370 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3390 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3480 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3510 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3640 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3670 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3720 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 3790 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | Tephra layer N1 | |
| 3810 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | Tephra layer A1 | |
| 3930 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4060 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4210 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4240 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4280 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4370 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4430 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4610 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4660 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4750 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4810 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 4880 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5020 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5040 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5070 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5180 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | Tephra layer A7 | |
| 5230 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5360 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5460 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | Tephra layer A8 | |
| 5470 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5550 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | NE flank | |
| 5560 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | Tephra layer A9 | |
| 5630 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5710 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5720 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5730 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5890 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 5960 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 6050 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 6170 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 6200 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 6230 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology | ||
| 6380 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Tephrochronology |
Katla volcano, located near the southern end of Iceland's eastern volcanic zone, is hidden beneath the Myrdalsjökull icecap. The subglacial basaltic-to-rhyolitic volcano is one of Iceland's most active and is a frequent producer of damaging jökulhlaups, or glacier-outburst floods. A large 10 x 14 km subglacial caldera with a long axis in a NW-SE direction is up to 750 m deep. Its high point reaches 1380 m, and three major outlet glaciers have breached its rim. Although most historical eruptions have taken place from fissures inside the caldera, the Eldgjá fissure system, which extends about 60 km to the NE from the current ice margin towards Grímsvötn volcano, has been the source of major Holocene eruptions. An eruption from the Eldgjá fissure system about 934 AD produced a voluminous lava flow of about 18 cu km, one of the world's largest known Holocene lava flows. Katla has been the source of frequent subglacial basaltic explosive eruptions that have been among the largest tephra-producers in Iceland during historical time and has also produced numerous dacitic explosive eruptions during the Holocene.
