Scientists in Iceland say ‘strong signs’ volcanic eruption is imminent (Update from today)

The Guardian ^ | 3-3-21 | Jon Henley

[dynachrome]

Scientists in Iceland have said there are now “strong signs” that a volcanic eruption may be under way following several days of near-constant seismic activity near Mount Keilir about 20 miles south of the capital, Reykjavik.

“We are not saying we have signs an eruption has begun,” Kristín Jónsdóttir of the Icelandic meteorological office told local media on Wednesday. “But this looks like the type of activity we expect in the run-up to an eruption.”

Víðir Reynisson of the island’s civil defence force told a mid-afternoon news conference it was “more likely than not” that an eruption – the first in the area since the 12th century – was about to begin, and could happen within the next few hours.

But Víðir said there was “no disaster going on and everyone can get on with their daily lives”. There was no immediate danger, he said, although people should avoid travelling to the area on the Reykjanes peninsula.

[crz]

Watched a special a few months ago about eruptions.

In abt 537 AD, there were two eruptions that really caused problems worldwide. They could not find the source of the eruptions for years and one geologist finally tracked down to, I think, Central America.

[Paul R.]

Ah, I was wondering about that. Sat view shows populated areas 10 miles away at most, NE of Mt. Keiler. The main(?) airport is slightly north of due west of the volcano, also a bit under 10 miles away.

Um, were those winds the surface winds, or jet stream? (Could be mid-layer too, but that’d not show except in detailed met. reports.)

[Rebelbase]

Surface and mid level. The Jet blows towards the S-SE in that area.

[Paul R.]

They hadn't planned on all the windmills in Texas freezing up.

But they HAD plsnned on periods of no wind, and no solar, which is why the windmills were backed up generously (one FReeper TX power-industry-guy says 115%) by fossil plants. Unfortunately, a lot of the fossil plants (mostly gas, and not just the backups) froze up too, and that loss of output was much greater in total GW than the loss of wind power. Plus, "direct" gas feeds for heat and power also froze up.

The biggest problem with wind power is that it is heavily subsidized and distorts the market, plus it requires backup sitting around a lot ($$$). IMO we should kill the subsidies and require the wind power suppliers to provide that 115% backup from other sources*, ALL required to be winterized.

*One way to do it, if greatly expanded:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taum_Sauk_Hydroelectric_Power_Station

(Upper / lower reservoir system that acts as a giant "battery".)

[Paul R.]

Noted & thanks! Do you know how “prevailing” those surface and mid-level winds are?

[Paul R.]

“planned”. How did spell check not catch that? (eye roll)

[amorphous]

Windmills are unsightly, noisy, maintenance intensive, fowl killers, and so forth, and so on. I'm agin 'em, but respectful of those who aren't.

There is an unlimited source of energy right under our feets, if we can figure how to access it. It is the heat of the earth's interior, which even now is working its way through the earth's crust in unfathomable numbers of BTUs.

Elon, I hope you're reading this! Your Boring Company needs to go vertical and not just horizontal.

[amorphous]

Looks like New Zealand is unzipping:

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000dfk3/executive

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000dffl/executive

[Paul R.]

Wait until you get 4 grain elevators (at least one is a “dryer”) put up upwind of you, about 300 ft. away...

[amorphous]

Oh no... Those things have been known to explode.

[Paul R.]

I’m not so worried about an explosion. Those are rare. What is certain is the noise (equipment moving and processing the grain, and then there are the heavy trucks; all easily audible inside our well insulated, masonry construction house; and it’s 24/7 during harvest) and the dust (more like red snowflakes) — it can be as much as 1/4” covering everything in a day or two if the wind is “right”. Not only is it a mess, there are potential health implications too, such as allergies from repeated exposure, etc.

[amorphous]

They shouldn’t put those near residential areas. I have an acquaintance who had a coal-fired plant go up near him, and he was able to force the power company to buy him out at a nice profit.