Watch the video above: The Bardarbunga volcano in Iceland created a stunning display as lava continued to sweep across the landscape.
TORONTO – Though most people would stay away from a lava flow, scientists from Iceland are happy to study the composition of the lava that is emerging from a volcano close to home.
The Bardarbunga volcano – a stratovolcano about 2000 metres in height – has been experiencing earthquakes since Aug. 16, with thousands of rumblings rocking nearby homes. It is believed that a spreading plate boundary, where part of Earth’s crust moves apart, is responsible for the earthquakes.
READ MORE: Iceland volcano continues to rumble, still threat of eruption
When this happens, new material – magma – rises to the surface, creating new crust.
That lava has been flowing since Aug. 30.
The Institute of Earth Scientists at the University of Iceland said that the lava flow is about 37 square kilometres and does not seem to be slowing.
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