Katla volcano seems to be going back to sleep under the icecap of Myrdalsjokull according to the civil protection department. The roads neighbouring the volcano and surrounding area have been reopened, including the road up to Sólheimajökull glacier and hiking trails. As reported the roads were closed on Friday following heightened seismic activity at the Katla volcano and the alert level being raised up to yellow. Hiking paths on the icecap have also been reopened, according to Morgunbladi’s a report.
The Scientific Board of Iceland’s Civil Protection met yesterday to reassess the situation and the main conclusions are firstly that the seismic event in the past few of weeks is the largest one in Katla volcano for decades. However seismic activity has now decreased dramatically, having peaked in power on Friday. The most likely reason for the activity was magma movement in the earth’s crust, but no evidence of such movements has manifested itself on the surface of the glacier and the seismic episode appears to be over. Seismic activity in Katla over the last two months has been significantly greater than at any time over the last few years. It is unclear whether the activity will continue or if it will decrease even further, but for now the mountain seems to be quiet again.