Real-time monitoring of glacial rivers in Iceland

The Hydrological Service in Iceland initiated a real-time monitoring system of rivers in 1998 as a response to the catastrophic flood in the River Skei∂ará in 1996. Prior to this, suitable equipment was chosen and the background chemical composition of selected glacial rivers was studied. The system includes 26 stations with real-time connection of which 10 can be classified as geochemical warning stations for floods caused by subglacial geothermal activity or eruptions. The geochemical warning stations are located on glacial rivers draining the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the Vatnajökull Glacier. The system is accessible on the Internet, but it is also designed to give automatic warnings. During the first two years of operation, moderate floods as well as small-scale geochemical leakages have both been detected by the system.