A volcano eruption in the Svartsengi volcanic system in Iceland captured widespread attention from 18 to 21 December 2023. The eruption took place close to Sundhnúkagígar, about four kilometres northeast of Grindavík. The eruption occurred after the area has been monitored and evacuated since 10 November 2023, due to seismic activity and the formation of a dyke intrusion at a depth of 3-5 km. The latest report from the Icelandic Met Office (IMO, Iceland) on 22 December, states that the fissure eruption at Sundhnúksgígar ended on 21 December. This indicates a temporary cessation of eruptive activity. However, according to GPS and satellite-based measurements, ground uplift in the Svartsengi region was apparent immediately after the eruption began on the evening of 18 December. Initial measurements show that the rate of uplift is greater than before the eruption occurred. This signifies that magma accumulation continues unabated beneath Svartsengi. This development will likely lead to another dike intrusion and, ultimately, another volcanic eruption.
The volcanic activity has raised concerns about the potential for a volcano-generated tsunami. The Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the North Eastern Atlantic Mediterranean and connected seas Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/NEAMTWS) continues to monitor the situation through its Tsunami Service Providers (TSPs) and expert networks. Mr Halldór Björnsson, Coordinator of Atmospheric Research at the IMO, emphasized prior to the eruption, “an eruption in Grindavík is not likely to extend into the sea, the bottom topography poses no risk of submarine landslides, therefore, the risk of a tsunami in that area is extremely low”.
Since 21 December, nearly 90 earthquakes were recorded in the Grindavík, Sundhnúksgígar, and Svartsengi regions. The largest earthquake was M1.6 West of Hagafell. Presently, seismicity levels are low but variable on a daily basis. The main driving force behind these events is the spreading of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. These forces literally tear the ground apart as the plates move in opposite directions. The empty space between the plates is usually filled with magma rising from the Earth’s mantle, potentially triggering volcanic activity such as the one witnessed at Sundhnúksgígar.
Volcanic activity on 18 December 2023 at the southern end of the fissure at Sundhnúksgíga, Iceland. Source: Icelandic Met Office.
The UNESCO-IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS) decided to conduct Exercise Indian Ocean Wave 2023 (IOWave23) during October 2023. Different scenarios for tsunami generation were exercised on 4, 11, 18 and 25 October. Recognising that the outcomes from IOWave23 will contribute to a better understanding of the gaps in tsunami warning chains, as well as enhance tsunami preparedness across the Indian Ocean Region, the ICG/IOTWMS Secretariat and Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Centre (IOTIC) jointly organised the “Lessons Learnt during Exercise Indian Ocean Wave 2023” webinar during 12-13 December 2023.
Opening remarks were provided by Professor Dwikorita Karnawati, Chair of the ICG/IOTWMS, and Mr Rick Bailey, Head of the ICG/IOTWMS Secretariat. Ms Weniza, Chair of the ICG/IOTWMS Task Team on Exercise IOWave23, provided an overview of the exercise. Ms Suci Anagrah, Chair of the ICG/IOTWMS Working Group 3 on Tsunami Ready Implementation, spoke about the importance of the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme. All stressed the importance of developing and maintaining community awareness and preparedness for the tsunami threat. While fortunately tsunamis are relatively rare, exercises are accordingly required to ensure warning systems are fully operational and effective should a tsunami occur.
Photo: Participants during Exercise IOWave23 held during 4-25 October 2023.
The webinar focused on Member States’ participation in the exercise, with country presentations from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Panel discussions were also held on: a) New Tsunami Service Provider (TSP) products for non-seismic generated tsunami, b) Community involvement in IOWave exercises; c) Exercising UNECO-IOC Tsunami Ready indicators; and d) Recommendations for the next IOWave Exercise.
The Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the North-eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, and connected seas Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/NEAMTWS) introduces new informational products to contribute to the implementation of the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme in the NEAM Region and ICG/NEAMTWS 2030 Strategy, with a specific focus on Pillar 3 on "Awareness and Response" of an Effective Early Warning and Mitigation System.
The newly introduced products include:
1. “Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP)” Brochure: providing a brief overview TRRP in the NEAM region, particularly outlining the 12 indicators to be achieved by communities to become “Tsunami Ready”.
Ms Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNDRR) joined the Government of Tonga in the commemoration of the World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) 2023 (WTAD23) in Nukualofa, Tonga on 20th October 2023.
The WTAD23 event commenced with the unveiling of a newly installed Tsunami Information Board at Apifo’ou College. The Tsunami information board serves to inform the school community and nearby communities on the risk posed by a tsunami threat to their community and provides actionable advice on what needs to be undertaken in preparedness and response to a tsunami threat on their nearby coastline. The installation of the tsunami information board was supported by UNDRR in collaboration with UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Resilience Section and the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDMRO) of Tonga.
This event was followed by a Tsunami Evacuation Drill Exercise for two schools- Apifo’ou College and `Ahopanilolo Technical Institute. A total of 1500 students and teachers participated including response agencies.
The tsunami inundation and evacuation mapping phase of the UNESCAP-funded project on “Strengthening tsunami early warning in the North-West Indian Ocean region through regional cooperation” was launched on 15 November 2023 via an online webinar. The project involves India, Iran and Pakistan with Oman and United Arab Emirates participating on a self-funded basis. The new phase focuses on capacity building through the development of tsunami inundation and evacuation maps for pilot communities of the North-West Indian Ocean Member States. The project serves as a platform for the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme and the United Nations initiative of “Early Warning for All” by 2027.
The webinar was jointly organised by UNESCO-IOC’s Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS) and Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Center (IOTIC). Opening remarks were provided by Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati, Chair of the ICG/IOTWMS, Mr Rick Bailey, Heado of UNESCO-IOC's Secretariat for the ICG/IOTWMS, and Ms Temily Baker, Programme Management Officer at United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), with closing remarks provided by Dr. Mohammad Mokhtari, Chair of the ICG/IOTWMS Regional Working Group for the North West Indian Ocean. Around 35 attendees, mostly the from North-West Indian Ocean Member States of India, Iran, Oman, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, attended in the project launch.
Photo: Participants at launch of Phace 2c of the project "Strengthening tsunami early warning in the North-West Indian Ocean region through regional cooperation", 15 November 2023.
Побережье Индонезии между городами Банда-Ачех и Мелабох после землетрясения и цунами 26 декабря 2004 г. Фото: Evan Schneider © UN Photo