This subglacial volcano in southwestern Iceland, which last erupted in 1918, now and then has moderately strong earthquakes (autotranslated) — that’s apparently routine.
However, since at least 2022, more temblors than usual have been occurring there and volcanologists are keeping an eye on Katla, which had two jokulhlaups (glacial outburst floods) during summer 2024, one of which badly damaged a bridge over the Malm River.
The earlier blog post covered those, but Katla likely will make the news again soon, and those new updates will go here.
- Iceland Met Office: Icelandic; English; Aviation Notices (VONAs)
- Current aviation code level: Green (normal).
- Recent earthquakes (vafri.is)
- IMO earthquake page (Icelandic)
- Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes: Katla
- Global Volcanism Program Katla page
- London VAAC
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As of this writing, I’ve seen no news of Katla since the last jokulhlaup in late September, but seismic swarms do show up there from time to time.
Here is some local lay video and discussion of the July 2024 jokulhlaup:
Updates
July 10, 2025, 6:04 a.m., Pacific: A small glacial outburst flood is again underway (autotranslated).
At the moment it reportedly is stable, and they’re watching and waiting to see what happens next. A big jokulhlaup, like the one last year (that might have been caused by a small subglacial eruption, according to current thinking, autotranslated), seems unlikely, IMO tells media.
Katla’s Aviation Code is still Green, per the list.
Here is a video from Just Icelandic that mentions the ongoing jokulhlaup:
December 7, 2024, 12:06 a.m., Pacific: IMO reported a small jokulhlaup on the 6th. Per Google translation:
Small glacial outburst flood in Leirá syðri and Skálm
New monitoring meter in Leirá syðri increases monitoring capacity in the area
6.12.2024• The fourth event since a significant glacial outburst flood occurred at the end of July
• No run-up turbulence is measured on seismometersElectrical conductivity has been increasing in Leirá syðri and in Skálm since December 4th. At the end of July, a glacial flood occurred in Leirá syðri and Skálm, where the floodwater overflowed, among other things, Highway 1 at the bridge over Skálm. Following the glacial flood in July, geothermal water from geothermal boilers under the glacier appears to have found an easier way out of them and into the riverbed. Since August, three smaller events have occurred with an increase in electrical conductivity and water level, and this is the fourth in a row.
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New monitoring meter in Leirá syðri increases monitoring capacity
On November 14, a new monitoring meter (V665) was installed in Leirá syðri, south of Sandfell, on the eastern side of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. This meter monitors the flow of floodwaters that flow into the river Skálm. A webcam has also been installed at Rjúpnafell with an overview of part of the flow of floodwaters on their way down to Highway 1.
So far, there has been no significant increase in water level, but electrical conductivity is measured to be considerable. No flow turbulence is measured at nearby stations. Therefore, we would like to ask people to be careful at the source of the river and near riverbeds where gas pollution may be present in the area. No reports of a sulfur smell have been received by VÍ. VÍ’s 24-hour watch continues to closely monitor the development of measurements in the area.
Since Katla’s floods can be devastating and can occur with little to no warning, I’ll pin this again even though there is no mention of volcanic changes or impending eruption.
Featured image: muratart/Shutterstock
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