Scientists at the Icelandic Met Office believe that a small sub-glacial volcanic eruption has now started under the icecap of Dyngjujökull glacier in the Northern part of Vatnajökull glacier. Because of this the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police has raised the alert phase to emergency phase. At the same time the Met Office has raised the aviation colour code from orange to red resulting in the air space above the eruption site being closed.
Because of a pressure from the glacier cap it is uncertain whether the eruption will stay sub-glacial or not.
The Coast Guards aircraft, TF-Sif, is currently monitoring the area and there are no visible signs of a plume at this moment. Nothing indicates floods because of the eruption.
At this stage measurements taken is based on a small event. The Jökulsárgljúfur canyon has been closed and evacuation of tourists in that area and around Dettifoss waterfall has started. The situation at this stage does not call for evacuation of habitants in nearby locations such as Kelduhverfi, Öxarfjördur and Núpasveit. People in those areas are encouraged to watch news closely and have their mobiles switched on at all times.
Just after 14:00 (GMT) there was an earthquake of 4.5 Richter scale at Bardarbunga.
17:00 (GMT) No clear changes have been seen on the glaciers surface so activity is still underneath glacier ice.
Jökull = Glacier in Icelandic