More Quakes Near Grindavik Increases Eruption Risk For Town: Geologist Analysis

Geology professor Shawn Willsey provides a brief update on the geologic unrest and growing magma body near Grindavik, Iceland.
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[@shawnwillsey]

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[@skyedog24]

That's too bad those are some pretty high wind speeds even for somebody from Twin Falls .

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

I’m wondering how different in attributes this next eruption might be, especially if the location is in a “new” area. Even though I strongly wish no harm be done to Icelanders, it’s also been increasingly fascinating to follow the eruptions’ storyline and learn from it. The more we know, the more interesting it becomes. Thank you for being the person who makes such learning possible!! Truly this is a rare opportunity for average folks like me.

[@bluerendar2194]

On land, I doubt there would be any significant difference to previous eruptions. We saw exactly what 'new' area eruptions were like at the start of the period after all. I think the most 'exciting' outcome is if the eruption reaches or, 'better' yet, occurs under the sea. Quotations from a investigation perspective. Humanitarianly, less exciting = good XD

[@bluewolfwalking]

Thank you for getting up so early to give us an update, Shawn. Fingers crossed that Grindavik is spared.

[@ETRuT1]

Thanks, Shawn. With you at 9am UK time, 8am in Iceland. It's great to have your report hot off the press, so to speak.

[@carlenasp]

So much better than a click bait video, just the real information and data in a calm well read manner ty

[@brianbailey4565]

Thanks for taking the time to update us. Spent a fortnight in Iceland travelling around the whole country for our 30th wedding anniversary, we have fantastic memories and thousands of photos, such a special place.

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

We are heading to Iceland in the autumn, also for an anniversary. Any places or accomodations that you would (or would not) recommend in the northwest and on from there to Akureyri?

[@brianbailey4565]

@@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023 it was over 11 years ago with a package deal with about 10 stops at hotels/guesthouses all around the island. Most were coastal places. We did all the typical waterfalls, mud springs, geysers, old volcanos and Myvatn pool. A lot of walking, but we're fitter then.

[@gerdahessel2268]

@@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023 Dynjandi Foss = Waterfall

[@lindaarchinal9008]

Such a good update! I feel like out of everyone who does this you tie in the data most completely. Much appreciated! Nice you are in Iceland.

[@stefanschneider3681]

Thanks for taking your time for an update wherever you are, definitely not self-evident!

[@petyae]

Great update, Shawn and team!❤Thank you! Greetings to Iceland! We all pray for the best outcome of this situation for the town of Grindavick , for all the icelanders ! Just stay safe, everyone! Hugs from a 🇧🇬❤️ Bulgarian !

[@dalelyon4088]

Glad you are continuing to give good factual info unlike some of the others who have a lot of sensationalism

[@snapdoc]

This is the first anniversary of an unforgettable trip I took to Iceland! The wind howled and blew the rain, snow and lava sand sideways during our entire trip, but still couldn’t spoil the magnificent landscapes and the warmth of its people.

[@OneCatShortOfCrazy]

Thank you for taking time out of your trip to give us this information!! 💜

[@katebatt7538]

Thanks Shawn. Appreciate you taking the time to update us when you have such a busy schedule with your students. Hope they enjoyed their trip to Iceland and weren't too hindered by the bad weather.

[@suziejones7962]

Thank you so much Shawn for taking time to update us all. Hope the weather improves soon.

[@BarryWilliams0]

Thanks for keeping us updated Shawn. We had a trip onto the Langjokull glacier cancelled last September because of the weather, so I feel your pain. During that holiday we drove from Selfoss to Vik, but the rain and wind were too strong for our planned visit to the black sand beach. Icelandic weather is a wild and unpredictable thing for sure. Looking forward to your next update and hope you get to see some activity on the peninsula.

[@maggiekelso997]

Thanks for the update, Shawn. I hope you have an amazing time in Iceland over the next week. You are a great teacher and you have some very lucky students.

[@Magurae]

Funny that, as with any excursion I’ve been on, the students sleep longer than the professor. So nothing changed in the last 20 years in this regard 😅

[@KatiDebelic]

Thank you Shawn. 9 cm is about 3 inches as there is about 30 mm to an inch. Sending my best wishes to the people of Grindavik and those working at the power station and Blue Lagoon.

[@sfos4898]

There are just over 25mm per inch. 9 cm, 90 mm, would be just over 3.5 inches.

[@b.a.erlebacher1139]

Some easy to remember approximate conversions: 10cm - 4in, 30cm - 1ft, 1m - 1yd + 10%, 1 liter - 1qt + 10%, 1kg - 2lb + 10%, 1 mi - 1.6 km, etc.

[@peggys1140]

Thank You! I cannot imagine how stressful these days are for the people in Iceland. Hope everyone can stay safe!

[@cattislsl]

Thank You for your updating!! I am a new fan, and I am soo grateful for your explanations that are so easy to understand even for me who never have been interested in this before. And also your other videos from roadcuts and stoneexplanations are so good and teaching in an easy way to understand!! I would have loved to have a teacher like You in school!! Thank You soo much!! 👍

[@darwinboor1300]

Shawn, Thanks for the update. Sending a wish for good weather and a new eruption in the last eruption field for your students.

[@diane6019]

Thank you for the update. I’m always checking on these volcanos.

[@nitawynn9538]

Thank for your early morning update. Enjoy Iceland and stay safe.

[@jenibylsma9845]

Thanx Shawn. Looks super cold and miserable where you are - hope the weather improves for you and ur students. We are all hoping the next eruption is a harmless one, but know it could be bad for the folks of Grindavik. Hoping like crazy it gives the town a miss. Really appreciate the update. We watch and wait with you all. Cheers from the "team’ Down Under … 😜

[@smuet6828]

Thank you so much Professor! Enjoy your few days off to explore.

[@suehawkes3322]

Good morning @ shawn willsey from England Thank you for the update Ive been checking the cams every day🤗 Stay safe and have a good day

[@cherylkoch6438]

Smart choice not going to the coast. That rain hitting the windows really sounds strong. Thanks for giving us a quick update on things. Safe travels to all of you. 👋

[@cynthiagair6359]

Always something more to learn! Thank you Professor.

[@virginiaserna1951]

Thank you for the update, The weather seems like I remembered it from my time in the Navy(dependent wife). It's 3:00 a.m. in Seattle, and it's raining too. 🌧️ Take care and I hope the weather is fine for the flight from Iceland to home for the students.

[@sokaikat674]

Thank you Shawn for keeping us updated. Nobody explains things like you do. You are a 'rockstar'. Can't wait for you to try that dried shark.

[@shawnwillsey]

Terrible aftertaste.

[@VivBlack-sg5rp]

I hope the weather improves for you and your students, however, it’s to our advantage as we get to take advantage of your time with your expert advice on geology happening today. Thank you!

[@Angie-pl3uw]

Thanks for the early morning update. Too bad it’s a no-go, but it’s just not a safe situation. I hope you went back for an hour or so more of sleep. Keep safe! Thanks again.

[@imann6355]

Sorry the weather got the best of your planned day. Thanks for taking the time to put out an update, it really is a wait and see situation.

[@StirlingLighthouse]

Great update. Stay safe. Thank you Prof Willsey 🙏

[@megadjc192]

You remind of a mixture between a good weather forecaster and a geologist. I appreciate you approach in terms of blending expert opinion combined with making educated guesses based on the available data. You also go through and explain the data which is also helpful. I think the biggest barrier with forecasting volcanic eruptions is that we don't have a great way to gather real time data for material underground. We need something like doppler radar but for underground. It would also need to penetrate quite deeply in order to be useful. Keep up the good work!

[@Mopartoolman]

Good morning from Oregon! Sorry the weather has turned out so nasty for you guys. Try to make the best of it anyway!!! Thanks the updates. Keep up the good work, friend.

[@charleswelch249]

I enjoy your reports, and I hope you are having fun with the students exploring Iceland. Hope everyone has a safe trip back home and they take the experience with them for the rest of their life. Can't wait for your next video.

[@sheilagraham8543]

Thanks for the update Shawn. Hoping the weathers improves so you and your students don’t get cabin fever! Fingers crossed you get an eruptive event during your time in Iceland (not too close to Grindavik).

[@rebeccas.8036]

Thanks for the update Shawn. Too bad about the weather today, but hopefully better soon!

[@Selah-dl3ef]

Hi Shawn. Thanks for the update.☔

[@tightropewalkergirl6485]

The wind was insane when I was there last month - I could barely stand against it as it was so strong and along the open coast the gusts were hitting the bus so hard it was nuts Thanks for the update!

[@TyMoore95503]

Thanks for the update, Shawn! We appreciate it!

[@jonclyde3873]

Thanks for your videos. Your explanation of the Lake Bonneville Flood is the best I have found.

[@joannedavis7030]

When we were in the southeast a few years ago, the winds were so high, they closed the road for 5-6 hours. About 20 cars were stuck at a closed gas station. An RV flipped over after the top sheared off - no one hurt. Watching the men pee outside in 50 mph winds was funny!!

[@gabsy6443]

Good morning from France 🇫🇷. I hope the weather gets better. The red zone looks really scary for Grindavik. Let's hope the reinforced barriers work

[@vicki90272]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you will be there for a bit longer - if something does happen soon hopefully you'll be there. Looks like you've got "crazy weather" as my Icelandic cousins call it! Many years ago we had a snowcat tour on Snaesfellsnessjokull cancelled because of bad weather.

[@raenbow66]

Good morning... once again there is the tension of expectation of eruptions. Thanks so much, Shawn! I hope while you and your students are there, some activity would be brilliant.

[@tanjaruottinen3899]

Thank you, Shawn, for the interesting update. I hope the weather gets better there ❤

[@xwiick]

Thanks for all of your hard work man!

[@robbirobin9657]

Thanks for the update. Sorry about the weather!

[@Freepalestine.Laurie]

Thanks for the update Shawn!

[@user-sg4ei3vv2t]

You're a hero Shawn❤

[@HH.......]

Thank you Shawn 😊 for the update I look forward to your next instalment 😊

[@user-zy9zv8vv1y]

Good Morning Shawn, from Delaware. Thank you for update.

[@Wee162]

Good morning! Thanks for the update!

[@gladysdecelles9951]

Thanks Shawn for taking the time to update us. Hope the weather gets better for you and the students.

[@momsilk6072]

Another great update! Thank you professor! 👍

[@gailgreen5012]

Thank you so very much. Really hope your trip is fabulous.

[@codyedwards6922]

I just got back from the scablands tour with Randall Carlson, I took your book with me. “Geology underfoot” it came in very handy, thank you. I borrowed the book from a lady I help. On the trip I wrote all over in it, and had I signed by all the staff. Where do I get a new book to replace hers… this one is totally mine now.

[@poppawolf26]

Aloha from Makaha.....we've been getting a ton of rain out here on Oahu too....great way to start my Sunday is an update...

[@jansutton2717]

Thanks for the update, Shawn. Hope your weather improves!

[@charliekliewer2643]

Oh what a nice surprise good icelandic morning shawn

[@lisadyck9503]

Thank you, Shawn. Very interesting to follow this situation.

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

Be safe. Thank you for this good work.

[@angelikawitter5305]

Thank you so much for taking the time to keep us informed directly from Iceland. If there must be a new eruption, let's hope it will be in a place where it cannot cause too much damage. It would be great is you could still be there for live reports. Geli

[@kimcanadian9781]

Thank you for ther early morning update ❤

[@corrineboxkicklove7942]

Thank you for the update. Stay Safe.

[@georginastoliker3358]

Good morning...night🤭 Thanks for update..

[@jackienaturelover9761]

Thanks Sean for the update. Sorry to hear the weather isn’t good there today. It’ll be better tomorrow. You should’ve slept in. Your class is doing. Appreciate the update and thanks for everything.

[@risingsun1604]

Thank you for your dedication.

[@Jefuslives]

Thanks for the update, prof Willsey. (Looks like the internet was also still asleep.)

[@shanedavis9166]

Thanks as always Shawn. How cool would it be to have an eruption while you guys were still there.

[@gonemadinnz]

Wishing you better weather for sightseeing along with a little volcanic magic....just not near Grindavik. Happy travels!

[@lyntattersall7300]

Thanks for the update. The waiting feels like the calm before the storm right now 😳

[@pastorshaunokeefe9276]

Great update again Shawn thanks

[@catherinecooper2360]

Thanks Shawn for rising so early to keep us updated. Can you say about how fast the magma travels once it's above ground? I saw the note that if this current possibility manifests in those red areas, that it would take only an hour to reach Grindavik. Online it doesn't appear to move that quickly, but I'm sure that the volume of magma distorts the picture.

[@uktheosam6232]

Thank you from Germany 👍

[@davidk7324]

Thanks Shawn, be safe. Relative risk vs absolute risk.

[@ginnyvibes]

It's amazing how similar this is to when you're at home, great job! My sympathies to missing today's travel plans. Last time we were in Iceland we spent a week on the south coast, so I have an idea what you're missing. Have you seen the book "In the realm of Vatnajökull, A Companion on the Southern Ring Road" by Bjornsson and Porhallsdottir (Helgi Björnsson & Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir)? It covers geology, biology, and human history with many photographs and maps in that area, a great guide for someone who wants to go deeper than the typical tourist.

[@davidlewis9068]

A very nice update. Grindavik is not a place I would want to be in now.

[@sueellens]

Good morning…just after 4am here near Rochester NY. Thank you for the update. Too bad the weather is so bad there today.

[@calluna5030]

Thanks for the update. A visit to Iceland wouldn't be the full deal without a dose of Icelandic weather. There's bound to be something of interest close to where you are staying, though. Just don those waterproofs and boots and explore! Iceland houses always have good facilites to dry out clothes. When does Shawn catch his flight back to the States? I'm predicting the volcano will hold off erupting until he is halfway across the Atlantic, heading back home.

[@shawnwillsey]

Here until May 30.

[@calluna5030]

​@@shawnwillsey 10 to 11 days still, that's good. Enough time to be lucky with both the weather and a volcanic eruption! Fingers crossed.

[@areareare9953]

You can totally hear the rain sheeting against the windows. I though someone was taking a shower in the room while you were talking. At this point, there's so much heat probably stored around this area, that the rock may be more ductile than before, and so the magma may be able run further under the surface before it starts encountering cold rock.

[@MichaelStone-ej9su]

Thank you!

[@dropshot1967]

9 cm is 3.5 inch. great update, thanks

[@valoriel4464]

Thx Prof ✌🏻 your dedication is inspiring. ✌🏻 delightful vid

[@helenabowie6540]

Thanks for your update. Something has to give soon. I will forward to my son.

[@susiesue3141]

Thank you Sir for sharing your informative video. Thanks for your warnings. People need to know! So much appreciated! 😊

[@brucedymock6635]

Thanks for the update

[@loriebolton980]

Hi Shawn. I miss watching the lava daily😢

[@sheilaathay2034]

Thanks for the update! Hey staying on the safe side is the right thing to do. It sounds nasty out there. Let it pass. ❤

[@wewillrockyou1986]

I am sceptical of this idea of calling the November event a magma run where magma left the system, it could of course be a translation error, but I think that kind of interpretation completely ignores the fact that there was a huge, divergent, lateral movement of the ground around the system at the time. I think that event should be interpreted as "opening space" up in the ground for the magma to flow into.

[@jackgreen9722]

Thanks!

[@dalelyon4088]

Hi Shawn, yes unfortunately I had rubbish weather two weeks ago but with the wet at least you can get an appreciation for the heat from the solidifying lava

[@carpy1179]

Sorry about the bad weather on your trip, buddy.

[@KubotaManDan]

Hope you & the students get to see the eruption before you have to depart! Pittsburgh international airport has added 5 non-stop flights to Iceland every week, that began on Friday.

[@kimhumbert9335]

Hopefully you can stay longer if you want to. Thanks for the update!

[@DJ-Bird-her]

Thank you so much!

[@parksto]

Thank you Shawn

[@OgMoonMist2410]

Thanks you sir for your hard work and efforts. Why don't you hit up Discovery with a little video showing what you do and ask them for funding? I do believe as of this year, it's essential that we all need a deeper understanding. I would like to know how you feel about Mel's hole. However maybe one day if we cross paths we could share our experiences as this would take forever to talk about like this. Your class should also make you a GoFundMe. Your awesome man you and your class deserve to be the first line defense from possible catastrophic fallouts of super volcanos or even the north Pacific ring in general. Good content friend