An eruption has started in Holuhraun north of Dyngjujökull at 00:02 this morning. An approximately 1 km long fissure (first estimate of scientists in the field) has opened, the eruption is purely effusive and no signs of explosive activity or ash emission has been detected so far. Based on volcanic tremor data, the eruption was strongest between 00:20 and around 02:00, peaking between 00:400 and 01:00. It has been decreasing until about 02:30 and is stabily active since.

Seismic activity has decreased as a result of the pressure release, however a significant amount of earthquakes is still detected in the magma dike, between the eruption site and south to about 5 km into Dyngjujökull. Strongest events last night were 3.8 in the caldera of Bárðarbunga at 04:37, as well as 2.9 at 05:39 and 3.5 at 06:38 in the dike. These earthquake are very closely monitored, but no significant change volcanic activity following these has been observed so far.

Screanshot from Mila web cam. Taken from www.mbl.is