Uncharted Waters? Magma Feeds Iceland's Ongoing Eruption While Some Is Stored Underground

Learn more about Iceland's fascinating eruption and evolving geologic situation with geology professor Shawn Willsey. Here we explore the latest data, updates, news, and try to make sense of it all.
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Support to Amanda Jo (formerly of Grindavik) and Iceland content provider: www.paypal.com/paypalme/MewsF...
Léon Frey KZbin channel: / @leon_frey
Earthquake data: vafri.is/quake/#close
GPS: strokkur.raunvis.hi.is/gps/8h...
Aerial imagery: atlas.lmi.is/mapview/?applica...
News: www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/20...
earthice.hi.is/melt-compositi...

[@shawnwillsey]

Please be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. You can support my educational videos by clicking on the "Thanks" button just above (right of Like button) or by going here: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EWUSLG3GBS5W8 Or: www.buymeacoffee.com/shawnwillsey

[@Joe-Skier]

Hey Shawn thanks for another great video. If you ever happen to travel route 395 in California again, there's a great cinder cone right next to the highway south of Lone Pine.

[@RWBHere]

Thanks Shawn. 👌🙂👍

[@RWBHere]

I found Leon's channel just before watching this video. The shout out is useful.

[@albertvanlingen7590]

There was a large 5+ earthquake in central Iceland today, what does this mean?

[@Joe-Skier]

@@albertvanlingen7590 probably means more to come.

[@Treeml123]

Thanks to Leon for allowing Shawn to share their drone footage with us.

[@elizabethphillips7813]

Thanks Shawn...so easy to understand when you explain it. Thank you Leon for the excellent footage of your drone flight.

[@leon_frey]

thanks for referring to my channel:)

[@susierider55]

So glad you made it to this eruption. Your videos are second to none. Thank for allowing the use.

[@gl15col]

We are grateful you let Professor Willsey use it, very interesting and helps everyday folks understand what's going on during the eruption.

[@discolemonade8794]

Lovely drone footage Leon!

[@tinamarie10]

Thank you!

[@marjieestivill]

The Lava short has the most amazing close-up, salute! The other short sucks the viewer into the drama; I’ll replay these as go-to for pure amazement.

[@Steviepinhead]

His drone videos are beautiful! Thanks, Leon!

[@user-hm6bn6kw6k]

Thank you, Leon.

[@discolemonade8794]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful drone footage @lean_frey

[@kiddalingur]

As a Icelander kinda love hearing you explain this, i dont hear this type of Explanation on Icelandic telly, They just cut it down to few minutes on news, i Don't know any Icelandic scientist that explains this in detail on YT, Few good YT ers that explain and show a lot of videos are out there, but noting like this, Cheers m8 & Greetings From Iceland

[@shawnwillsey]

Many thanks! I will be in Iceland in May.

[@kiddalingur]

@@shawnwillsey Well i hope you enjoy your stay 😘

[@jantodd-hr1xe]

Thank you for this update. And for calling us team or crew. Our earth is so amazing and the desire to learn (at least for me) never stops. The drone footage gives a better understanding of the height of this cute little spatter cone. Wow. Thank you for the continued respect for the people of Iceland.

[@jennieforsberg4415]

Wonderful footage Leon! Beautifull! Really great that you shared this.

[@scrappyquilter102]

Much appreciated Leon!

[@user-ei8nh5eo5h]

You are so good at explaining the eruptions in Iceland. I have learned so much about volcanos. Thank you

[@ukaszbadura5670]

Leon Frey also made really cool videos on geology in German language. I was watching his lectures in German actually before I stumbled upon Shawn’s channel.

[@sonjo2419]

Hey Shawn.. I saw this drone footage this morning and was getting ready to send a link to you. So glad Leon’ sent it to you. Great footage and I remember you were hoping to see this kind of footage. Thanks Leon, I’m now a follower. Thank you Shawn for your great teachings. Love this stuff.

[@patvlnar5768]

Wonderful footage!

[@SaltAndVinegar42]

Thank you all again putting the information together. Much ❤

[@Firebuck]

@Shawn Professor Agust Gudmundsson (that's his YT channel name too) posted a really great video yesterday about dikes, geothermal fluid transport and recent eruptions on the Reykjanes pennisula. Super informative deep-dive type video, but it's a bit jargon-y. I thought of you -- it's a possibility for analysis (like you do for some academic papers), or maybe an interview with Prof Gudmundsson, or just some more historic background on the geologic setting for the Sundhnukar fissure.

[@shawnwillsey]

Yes, I saw this and his video on dikes was very similar to the overview on dike propagation and arrested dikes that I did a few months ago. Good stuff!

[@sueellens]

Appreciate the update and drone footage. Thank you Shawn and Leon.

[@joannekellam191]

Thanks for the update, it's all so fascinating! Interested to see what is next with this thing. Thanks to Leon for letting you share some of his terrific drone footage in the name of education!

[@ZacharyStrauss-ib7tl]

Hi Shawn and everyone on team.

[@nataliew8061]

Thank you for the continued updates 😊 much appreciated

[@arthurclarke905]

Thanks again for the update. There certainly is a certain degree of uncertainty of that we can be quiet sure.

[@jackienaturelover9761]

Thank you Shawn for the update. Also thank you Leon for allowing Shawn to show us some of your drone video. This is all so interesting and fun to learn.

[@fagan4119]

Thanks, Shawn. Very comprehensive and informative as always.

[@sandrine.t]

Thank you @shawnwillsey for another great update! You've answered what's been puzzling me for the past few days: both an uplift and an eruption ongoing, so what could happen next? Thanks to @MandieJo as always for helping you, and to Léon Frey for letting you share portions of his fabulous drone footage! Actually I subscribed to his YT channel just a few hours before you posted this update ;) Thanks again, enjoy the rest of your day and have a nice weekend :)

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i]

What an extraordinary case study can be made of this series of eruptions, with Prof. Willsey providing expert guidance. Stunning visuals today. Thank you from Minnesota!

[@chrystal108reading4]

Thank dear Shawn...also for showing the breathtaking drone videos of Leon Frey..I subcribed to his channel, too... be blessed all of you...stay save... :)

[@m4rt1n1000]

Thank you Shawn for keeping is informed.

[@Wee162]

Thanks Shawn - all of that was valuable, well-explained information! Love learning geology!

[@justinanovak8040]

Thanks Shawn! Thank you Leon for allowing him to use some of your videos. Your video work is amazing.

[@dianespears6057]

I have been waiting on you to tell me what I should know about our Iceland volcano. Thank you. Amazing to think that the USA west once looked like this.

[@StormWarningMom]

Great update, I learned something new today :) Feels like I'm in Nature's Classroom learning with everyone else. Crazy how there is uplift going on while there is an active eruption. Amazing footage from Leon too, it was very generous of him to allow you share parts of his video on your channel. Cheers!

[@66kbm]

One thing that always amazes me is the way the Lava erupts to such a height constantly, this is really heavy molten rock, obviously driven by the gases within. I have to ask this question...How much gas is dissolved into the Magma below ground for these massive "bubbles" of lava to burst like they do. What is the percentage of gas to Magma/Lava on average please?

[@bee7974]

Thank you, Shawn! Not knowing much about volcanoes, and how they work, I have learned a lot from your helpful information.🙂 👍

[@xwiick]

Thanks for all of your hard work man!

[@CrawldaBeast]

Thank you for another informative erupt-date.

[@arthurstrong5214]

Thanks to Leon, I have subscribed to his channel.

[@suzettebavier4412]

Appreciate you Prof. Willsey

[@jacquie-h4530]

Thanks Shawn, your videos are great. You explain things simply, so even I, a retiree, can understand and you have reawakened my love of geology and volcanoes in particular. I usually catch up with your broadcast a day or so later. Thanks to Leon for letting you show some of his amazing drone videos.

[@susiesue3141]

Thanks Shawn for this great video and thank you Leon for allowing Shawn to share some awesome clips of your video. Very much appreciated!😊

[@tiffanygeddes9621]

I just got back from a trip to Iceland and was able to take a helicopter tour of the eruption the morning of the 19th. It was amazing 🤩 I was also really appreciative that I discovered your channel in November and have been following all of your updates, so I had a really good idea of what I was seeing. Thank you for your helpful and interesting videos 😊

[@petyae]

So we start a new way of learning on sight.Thank you , team! Shawn, Amanda, Leon! Great information, absolutely determinated to go through all this together! What a time to witness it all from every corner of the world!!! Thank you, team!!

[@512Squared]

Thanks Leon - you earned a subscriber

[@thomasandkarencook3486]

Thank you Shawn and Leon for this update.

[@jballenger9240]

Thank you, Prof Willsey, for the link to Prof Fry’s channel. His 4 most recent videos were mesmerizing and intoxicating, but left me feeling pessimistic about many of our species and left me feeling like a grain of sand. I’d like to share the comment left. Sorry it makes this a bit long. “Prof Fry, Phenomenal! And this is only the smallest glimpse of the absolute power and majesty mere meters beneath our feet and at the core of our planet. Sadly, we poor Homo sapiens can be so myopic and arrogant that we wage wars against others over petty, personal differences in beliefs! I am certain there is an infinity of space in this small crater of lava for ALL the differences we have with each, and room for more! My hope and prayers are that before jump into the crater we will be see and enjoy the beauty and wonders that surround us, and be able to practice respect and nurture our planet, ourselves, each other and all living things. Thank you Professor.” You and Prof Fry could create an awesome, over the Himalayas (maybe even the moon) vulcanology curriculum. Thank you again, Team Leader, sir.

[@Crogatho]

Hey Shawn, I am wondering if you are planning to make a video about the recent Ruang Volcano eruption which showed incredible paroxysmal explosive activity. It was a VEI 4 with a 23km high ash plume, it's considered a plinian eruption.

[@kimmyers5648]

Thank you, Shawn, for the update. I wish I had you when I took my geology classes! I'm going to Iceland in 5 days so I'm excited to see as much of this as possible in person!

[@reekoreeko1857]

Thanks for the update, it is such an interesting time. thanks to Leon too for sharing his great content.

[@alayneperrott9693]

Great update! One day this eruption will be a famous case study for volcanologists!

[@katesommerville7217]

I love how respectful you are of the drone pilot here, these pics are just amazing 😮 let’s face it, these drone pilots will get more exposure from your channel so really it’s a win win 😊

[@robbirobin9657]

Can’t wait to catch up on this, thank you x

[@user-oo8xp2rf1k]

Sharing is great! But respecting ownership is great too! Thanks for the excellent video. Shame some don't share - but it's their right. 👍

[@johnwelbourn3811]

Thanks for the update Prof. Great drone footage

[@TheDreamtimezzz]

Love the updates. ❤. Thank you

[@sfos4898]

Wow! Thank you, Shawn!

[@diannbarbacci1031]

Thank you for the update. It is much appreciated.

[@watrgrl2]

Thank you Professor Wilsey!

[@lindaarchinal9008]

Thank you, I’m always looking forward to your updates. Very well explained and interesting.

[@wendygerrish4964]

Great update thank you.

[@sparkleflair]

Thanks for the update and for the link to Leon Frey's page for his videos and drone footage. :)

[@maryt2887]

Thank you for this update and the link to Leon’s channel. Beautiful videos! I enjoy the uncertainty-since I don’t live in Iceland-and am looking forward to the next phase of the eruptions.

[@JanetClancey]

Thank you Shawn an ever evolving situation to monitor and wonder at.. it’s a laboratory of earth now and we are all just watchers.. fascinating stuff 😊

[@mikeladley5149]

Can't get over the fact that in spite of all the activity that's transpired since December 2023, Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon have been spared up till this point. Obviously it's a shame the residents have suffered through this extended period. However I'm not so confident these two areas will continue to be protected? Thank you again for your updates and the knowledge you bring. 👍

[@avist.6465]

I love all the sources you keep finding: another source for beautiful video from drones, more sources for scientific analysis, etc. The very last bit, regarding trends (or the lack there of) in the chemical composition of the lava was interesting; I would not have thought to do that, or have known how to interpret the results. Thanks for the beautiful video and great learning.

[@kevinklix3992]

So good to learn from kind people,ty.

[@robmez]

Thanks for the update , very interesting waters ahead, going to be edge of your seats viewing over the next few weeks

[@pastorshaunokeefe9276]

Great thanks Shawn your a great teacher

[@user-zg7ud7zl7g]

Thanks for your valuable updates!!!

[@juliaperry2812]

thank you for the update enjoy your day

[@WeatherWitch1026]

Thanks Professor Willsey!

[@JacquiBinfordBell]

Excited today because there is a Second addition of Road Side Geology of New Mexico. I have ordered it.

[@billsherman6129]

Yes, thank you Léon! Great footage!

[@lauravance4240]

Thanks, as always!

[@John-hf3ul]

Thank you!

[@Mylifetime63]

Thank you Shawn. And cudos to Leon for some brilliant footage.

[@zenseed75]

Thank you Leon and Shawn. Very cool

[@elizabethphillips7813]

Thanks Shawn ....so easy to understand when you explain it.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Incredible that we can watch a play by play on an eruption. Thank you for the education / knowledge! PS - Also enjoyed viewing your back catalog on various geological points of interest in USA!😊😊

[@shawnwillsey]

Awesome. Lots of good stuff there and I will keep resurrecting some older hidden gems from the collection.

[@kathleenbolster1887]

thanks for the update. very interesting

[@runninonempty820]

The drone footage was amazing! Thank you Shawn and Leon.

[@richardbatistelli7280]

Great presentation and explanation.

[@TheAddanz]

Please support Leon who shared his footage by Subscribing to his channel, that sort of cooperative behavior should be encouraged!

[@gladysdecelles9951]

Fascinating! Thanks Shawn

[@tammiecampbell6164]

Thanks! Nice shots!

[@shelleyszulinszky9732]

Thank you ❤️✌️👍

[@tombakewell2007]

Thanks!

[@renerpho]

Thanks for the update, Shawn! I thought of you last week during a visit to Mt. Vesuvius -- climbing to the summit in some of the best spring weather we've had in a long time. I am now contemplating going to Iceland next year (no chance for me to get that trip done before 2025). I'm looking forward to see how the situation in Iceland continues to develop!

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

Truly amazing video. Adds to your analysis. Thanks Shawn. That new Met Office map shows the cone as being very large. If an eruption ever happened northward Grindavik would be safe. Ty

[@nitawynn9538]

Unexplored territory is exciting. Thanks for the info.

[@valoriel4464]

Thx Prof (and Leon). ✌🏻

[@teddybear4020]

Good Morning Shawn ,thank you 4 this updates reposting this 2 my fb page 4 u , 2 get word out .

[@CameraGirl011]

Great & informative video!

[@saarmuller3392]

Magnifient. Thank you!

[@ericassuvtravels]

A little suggestion from those of us who struggle to see. If you make the pointer a little larger, would help.😊 I'm happy to see you changed the colour. 5:59

[@shawnwillsey]

I have made it bigger already.

[@PatriciaHain-uw8vx]

Leon's vids are mesmerizing😍

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Great stuff.

[@pmgn8444]

Thanks Shawn and Leon! This is the little volcano that just keeps going.

[@ariane3407]

Thank you 👍🏼fantastic

[@bluewolfwalking]

Wow…what an amazing view, right into the belly of the volcano….thank you!! 😮

[@gonemadinnz]

Compulsive viewing! Waiting to see what happens next!

[@jeffreymorris1752]

I'm retired, but I used to flow back stimulation treatments on high H2S gas wells. We could tell when we had all the treatment water back because the flow temperature would plummet from +110F to -15F. At that point the flowing volume and flow temperature would increase and decrease with the pressure and temperature charts drawing neat sine waves. Sometimes the surface piping would plug off completely with hydrate ice. Taking that piping apart, we would find obvious rings of hydrate ice resembling light blue/green tree rings. We discovered that we could match the wide and narrow rings to the sine waves on the pressure and temperature charts. I wonder if something similar occurs in the piping to these Icelandic vents - rings of solidifying lava/magma growing and shrinking due to fluctuations in the makeup of the lava, as well as its temperature and pressure.

[@bryce2680]

Love your videos. Thanks for doing them. I think you might mean "Uncharted" Waters in your Title. Unless, of course, someone is trying to charter those waters ;-)

[@shawnwillsey]

Doh! Fixed now. Thanks.

[@verolawson3898]

​@@shawnwillsey In regard to this: Has this NEVER happened ANYWHERE before? 😮 Or just not in Iceland? 🤔

[@jackprier7727]

Wonderfully spooky and eerie and romantic, this smoking/steaming/glowing cone