1996 eruption of Gjálp
| 1996 eruption of Gjálp | |
|---|---|
Gjálp eruption: Jökulhlaup 1996 over Skeiðarársandur, the piedmont glacier Skeiðarárjökull and Öræfajökull in the background | |
| Volcano | Gjálp |
| Start date | 30 September 1996 |
| End date | 13 October 1996 |
| Type | Subglacial fissure eruption |
| Location | Western Vatnajökull 64°32′00″N 17°25′00″W / 64.53333°N 17.41667°W |
| VEI | 3 |
| Impact | Jökulhlaup over Skeiðarársandur, Hringvegur partially destroyed |
| Maps | |
Between 30 September and 13 October 1996, an Icelandic hyaloclastite ridge named Gjálp (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈcaul̥p]) erupted. Located under the Vatnajökull glacier shield, its present form resulted from the eruptions, and it is likely part of the Grímsvötn volcanic system. However, not all scientists are of this opinion, as seismic studies are consistent with a 10 km (6.2 mi) lateral dike intrusion at about 5 km (3.1 mi) depth from Bárðarbunga being the trigger event. This does not exclude a shallower secondary intrusion from Grímsvötn being important in the subaerial eruption itself.