Real-Time Monitoring of Glacial Rivers in Iceland
Abstract
The Hydrological Service in Iceland initiated a real-time monitoring system of rivers in 1998 as a response to the catastrophic flood in river Skeidara, southern Iceland, in 1996. Prior to this, suitable equipment was chosen and the background chemical composition of selected glacial rivers was studied. The system includes 32 stations with real-time connection of which 10 can be classified as geochemical warning stations for floods caused by subglacial eruptions. The geochemical warning stations are located on glacial rivers draining the Myrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers in southern Iceland. The system is accessible on the Internet, but it also can give automatic warnings. During the first three years of operation, moderate floods as well as small-scale geochemical leakages have been detected by the system.
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA....10493S