Increased likelihood of landslides in Southeast Iceland, the Eastfjords and the Central Highlands through early Friday morning

Several low-pressure systems passed over Iceland this week, bringing warm and moist air. Heavy precipitation occurred since Tuesday and will continue to Thursday night in Southeast Iceland, near Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, in the southern Central Highlands, and the Eastfjords.

Due to the mild temperatures, most of the precipitation fell as rain, including at higher elevations. In addition, snow and ice melt from glaciers may further increase runoff in rivers and streams within the affected areas.

Significant rainfall already fell across parts of Southeast and East Iceland last week and earlier this week saturating the ground in affected areas. Additional water that infiltrates the ground can increase pore-water pressure in slopes, thereby increasing the likelihood of slope failures such as rockfalls and debris flows, particularly in steep terrain. Landslides may reach roads and disrupt transportation with little warning.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued a landslide warning earlier this week and hereby adds the northern Eastfjords to the Warning Zone due to reports of floods and debris flows in the area.

The rain is predicted to decrease later today and through Friday morning which should stabilize the situation.

As roads often run beneath steep slopes, travelers are advised to exercise caution and follow information on the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration’s website.

A debris flow in Reyðarfjörður (photo: Ísak Fannar Sigurðarson)

The public is encouraged to report landslides and rockfalls to the Landslide Watch. Reports can be sent by email to skriduvakt@vedur.is or submitted using the electronic reporting form for landslides and avalanches. Please provide the precise location and, if known, the time when the landslide or rockfall occurred. If the exact time is not known, it is sufficient to state when it was first observed. Please include photographs where possible. The Landslide Watch reviews the reports and attempts to verify them before they are entered into the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s landslide database.