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Following are news items added to the web as the eruption in Vantajökull progressed. They have been allowed to stand unchanged, even though in retrospect, some of them should be edited. But this the story of how it happened - when it happened. A couple of foreign articles are appended at the end, they were also posted at the time of publication.

The volcano is still doing it's thing, erupting away, but clouds, fog and a strong wind prevent close observations. Remote sensors indicate that tremors are still continuing at approximately the same rate.
The reservoir for the water melted by the volcano now contains more water than it ever has since measuring that was started. Anxious Highway people still awaiting flood, but no indication as to when it will hit, or how the behaviour will be.

7 p.m. Saturday October 5th 1996
The cauldron that has opened the hole in the ice cap has been very active this afternoon, explosions echoing on the glacier and steam and ashes spewing into the air. Scientists are getting more and more worried over the overfilling of the Grímsvötn reservoir, and worried that the flood will be according to the most pessimistic estimates.
Estimates of melted water now stand at 2 cubic kilometers, and the eruption has added ca. 3 cubic kilometres of ash and lava to Iceland.

8.30 p.m. Saturday October 5th 1996
Scientists think that the waters have found a passage under the ice cap towards the edge of the glacier and that the expected flood is starting. The real question is how the water will pass under the ice cap, slowly or in a fierce rush, whether the flood will be slow in building up to a peak or if it will happen relatively quickly.

6 a.m. Sunday October 6th 1996
The volcano had been mulling along through the night. No big changes detectable on measuring devices, but steady tremors through the night, with the largest tremor rating 3 on the Richter scale. No visible proof of a flood in Skeiðará.

4 p.m. Sunday October 6th 1996
Nothing really new, the crater continues to erupt, and no indications that the flood is starting, reports from last night exaggerated, or wishful. Ashes have been reported falling in the Eastern Fjords, in Southern Iceland and in Akureyri.

8 p.m. Sunday October 6th 1996
Eruption still continuing at the same pace, but bad weather over Vatnajökull today has prevented visual observation of the crater that has opened the ice cap. Sensors show somewhat diminished activity along the volcanic rift.
Hydraulic measurements were not taken of Skeiðará today, as the visibility there prevented observation of the glacier's edge and specialists consider 15 minutes the time they would have to get to safety if a flash flood occurred. The height of the Grímsvötn reservoir was measured at 1485 (plus/minus 10 metres) yesterday, and it is considered that at 1500 metre height, the ice cap will lift and a flood start. The Ring Road will be closed for the 5th night in a row tonight from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. tomorrow.

10.30 a.m. Monday October 7th 1996
A black column rising above the glacier has been observed from sea, but the situation remains the same: Flood expected any hour and activity along the fissure steady as before.

1.00 p.m. Monday October 7th 1996
Scientists are preparing to pass over the eruption site in an airplane, for the first time in two days. Are anxious to see how the eruption site has changed, and even more to observe the changes in the Grímsvötn reservoir, which may give an indication of when the flood can be expected. A large piece of ice broke off from the edge of the glacier this morning, but this thought to be due to heavy rains yesterday.

5.00 p.m. Monday October 7th 1996
Scientists were unable to measure the height of
the Grímsvötn reservoir, due to bad visibility. All indications by sensors show that the eruption is continuing at the same rate.

8.00 p.m. Monday October 7th 1996
The glacier Skeiðarárjökull, where the impending flood will emerge, has risen perceptibly in height. This fuels speculation that the flood is imminent, and scientists state that to the best of their calculations the flood could start at any hour now. The sands below the glacier will be declared a danger area after 11 p.m. tonight.

6.00 a.m. Tuesday October 8th 1996
All quiet on the Eastern Front. Eruption, flood and glacier still muddle along at their own pace. No changes observable on monitors through the night.

1.30 p.m. Tuesday October 8th 1996
Volcanic activity seems diminishing, according to sensors. A helicopter flight over Skeiðarájökull, where the flood will emerge from under the glacier, showed no changes in the surface, so no indication of an impending flood. The whole of Skeiðarásandur has been declared a danger area, and everyone enters at their own risk. Scientists now speculating that Grímsvötn are getting larger horizontally, not vertically, which might account for the delay in the flood.

11.30 p.m. Tuesday October 8th 1996
Everything is the same on the volcanic front. Scientists are baffled as to why the flood shows no signs of starting, but expect the flood at any time. The road across Skeiðarásandur is closed from 8 p.m. tonight until 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Highway Authority has started to weaken the levees channeling the river under the bridges in order to save as much of the structural elements as possible.

1.30 p.m. Wednesday October 9th 1996
Everything is the same on the volcanic front, as before The only effect, except for the column of smoke and ashes, is that News coverage in foreign countries, has started to have an adverse effect on tourism in Iceland!! The most used words on Skeiðarásandur these days are: "Where is the water? When is the flood starting?" Asked in many languages, as a lot of reporters of different nationalities are there to cover a flood that has missed its deadline.

4.30 p.m. Wednesday October 9th 1996
Scientists now passing over Vatnajökull in an airplane state that the eruption is even more forceful now, than in the past. No changes are observable north from the crater that has pierced the ice cap. The Grímsvötn reservoir is hidden beneath a fog cover, but measurements made with the airplanes radar confirm that the water level has risen. This will be confirmed in more detail later on today.

8.30 p.m. Wednesday October 9th 1996
The fissure in the ice cap was measured as being ca 3 km (2 miles) long today Activity in the opening seems undiminished, and a new depression was observed in the glacier to the northwest of the eruption. The eruption column is not as voluminous as in the first days but still impressive. No confirmation as yet of the water level in the Grímsvötn reservoir.

9.30 a.m. Thursday October 10th 1996
Nothing new to report. Eruption continuing as before. Scientists have not yet committed themselves as to the height of the water level in the Grímsvötn reservoir. The build up of water there has been slowed down because of the decreasing height difference between the reservoir and the water in the eruption fissure.

8.30 p.m. Thursday October 10th 1996
The ice cap covering the Grímsvötn reservoir was seen today, and it has large cracks in the surface, caused by the water level rising continually, even though the rise has been slowed down in the last days, either by the larger surface area of the reservoir, or because of the decreasing melting of ice into water. Only one spot on the fissure is now active and some scientists think that the main power of the eruption is spent on steaming water, not melting ice.

8.30 a.m. Friday October 11th 1996
A strong "Glacier stench" is tickling the nostrils of the inhabitants of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, west of Skeiðará, the stench was strongest around 6 a.m. but has diminished. No stench has been discovered on the east side. The "Glacier stench" has been one of the indicators of an impending flood.

2.00 p.m. Friday October 11th 1996
The Highway Authority removed the tarmac covering from a section of The Ring Road on Skeiðarásandur in preparation for the flood. An accurate measurement of the water level in the Grímsvötn reservoir is expected later today. General activity of the eruption is considered to be a little less than in the past days.

8.30 p.m. Friday October 11th 1996
The seismographs in the Vatnajokull area show lively activity, but the eruption itself has not changed measurably. It has proved impossible to obtain an accurate measurement of the water level in the Grímsvötn reservoir, but scientists say that the changes from day to day are very small now, and claim this is due to the vast area of the reservoir

8.30 p.m. Saturday October 12th 1996
Scientists were able for the first time in days to observe the crater that has been most active, and a mountain of eruption material has appeared from under the ice cap. The rift in the ice cap is ca 3.5 kms (just over 2 miles) long and from 200 to 400 meters (600 to 1200 feet) wide. The tip of the new volcano is ca 200 meters (600 feet) beneath the height of the ice cap surrounding it. Scientists were also able to place accurate remote measuring devices on the Grímsvötn reservoir, and accurate measurements will now be available daily.

11.30 a.m. Sunday October 13th 1996
Scientists have now an accurate measurement of the height of the ice cap covering the Grímsvötn reservoir, which now stands at 1500 meters over sea level. This height was considered to be enough to start a flood, but he flood has not started yet. According to sensors the volcanic activity along the rift has diminished, and the eruption seems to be petering out.

8.30 p.m. Sunday October 13th 1996
Scientists have re-calculated the water height needed to lift the ice cap covering the Grímsvötn reservoir, and starting a flood this is now estimated at 1505 to 1510 meters over sea level, or 5 to 10 metres over the present height of the Grímsvötn reservoir. The eruption itself seems to be in the last stages, but scientists speculate that this is just the first of a series of eruptions in this area. If the water level does not rise high enough to lift the ice cap, the water will have to find its traditional route under the glacier and that may occur at any time. Impossible to predict. The instruments placed on top of the Grímsvötn reservoir yesterday, have now ceased to function, so no new measurements will be forthcoming soon.

8.30 p.m. Monday October 14th 1996
Scientists have calculated that this eruption is the fourth largest in Iceland in this century. The eruption is almost over, little or no activity recorded on sensors and seismographs, but visual observation has been impossible today. The expected flood still has not started, and it is impossible to estimate when the water will find an outlet under the glacier.

6.30 a.m. Wednesday October 16th 1996
Scientists have measured the height of the Grímsvötn reservoir at 1504 meters over sea level.This could start a flood at any time now, flood height being estimated at 1505 to 1510 meters.

7.30 p.m. Sunday October 27th 1996
Four weeks today since the eruption started. Level of the Grímsvötn reservoir has been measured at 1510 metres above sea level. According to scientists, this could start a flood at any time during the next 10 days, flood height now being estimated at 1510 to 1515 meters. Scientists claim that the water could lift the ice cap at any time, as the flow into the reservoir is 300 tons/second, which increases the height in the reservoir by 0.5 meters/day.

11.30 p.m. Monday November 4th 1996
Tremors started in the Grímsvötn area at around 9.30 p.m. As of now it is not clear if these tremors are connected with any new volcanic activity. Humans set foot for the first time on the new volcanic peak on Vatnajökull, which was measured at 1660 meters (5000 feet) above sea level. A water flow in the direction of the Grímsvötn reservoir was visible to the naked eye, and the temperature was estimated at well over 10 deg Centigrade.

7.30 a.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The tremors have increased 8-fold in intensity since last night. Scientists consider these tremors indicate the start of the expected flood. Daylight will provide more accurate information.

9.30 a.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The long awaited flood has started. Skeiðará has started to increase and measurements are being taken right now. The water flow is increasing rapidly and the water's colour has changed.

10.00 a.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
Skeiðará, which was measured at 70 tons/second this morning is now estimated to be flowing at the rate of 6000 tons/second. The flood gave little warning, 30 to 60 minutes, and such a rapid increase has never been observed before. Skeiðará has already started overflowing its channel and is covering the road on both sides. Icebergs are being carried along with the flood.

1.00 p.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The flood in Skeiðará is still increasing, and no way to estimate the water volume being carried to sea. The bridge over the Gígjukvísl river has been flooded over, and when last seen one of the pillars had disappeared. Other bridges are also flooded over, and as described by eyewitnesses there is little chance that they will be unharmed by the flood. The land-anchor of the Skeiðará bridge has been washed away, which weakens the structure. The road has been breached in several places and the electric power line across the sands is down, as are the phone lines. Both have been routed through other lines, so there have been few interruptions in service. The tremors at Grímsvötn have increased since first detected, which should indicate that the water coming from the Grímsvötn reservoir is still on the increase. The water is almost black with soot and mud, and ships have been warned not to fish near the delta.

3.00 p.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The flood in Skeiðará keeps on increasing one estimate is that now the volume is about 20,000 tons/second. Sensors at the Grímsvötn reservoir indicate an activity there that is four times the activity at 8 a.m. today. It is not certain that this will mean a corresponding increase in the flood, but an increase is certain. The bridge crossing the river Gígjukvísl has been washed away, and the bridges crossing Sæluhúsakvísl and Skeiðará are also in grave danger of being washed away. The road has been breached in several places.

7.30 p.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The bridge crossing Skeiðará is falling to pieces, three spans at the east end have been washed away, and one at the west end. The bridge crossing Sæluhúsakvísl has also been flooded over. The Ring Road is in very bad condition, or completely washed away, on a 25 km (16 mile) long stretch, and three of the four bridges there have either been washed away or are falling to the flood. The flood is still increasing in volume, and scientists expect that the peak will not be reached until tomorrow. Grímsvötn were observed today and were ca 20 metres (60 feet) lower than at last measurement, which means that about one quarter of the expected flood has emptied from the reservoir. Scientists are also concerned that volcanic activity will start at Grímsvötn as the pressure there grows less as the water flows down to sea.

8.30 p.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The flood is now estimated at 35,000 tons/second, which means that Skeiðará has grown 500 times in 12 hours. The flow under the Skeiðará bridge itself is estimated at 15000 tons/second. Flooding has also started in the western part of Skeiðarásandur, Núpsvötn are now flooding, so the bridge there is also in danger. Darkness has fallen at the flood site, and no visual observations will be possible until daylight tomorrow.

11.30 p.m. Tuesday November 5th 1996
The sensors at the Grímsvötn reservoir indicate that the flood still has not reached its peak. The tremors seem to continue at the same rate, and as the known travel time of the water from the Grímsvötn reservoir to Skeiðarásandur is 11 hours the flood will continue to increase until morning, at least. Samples were taken from the flood at 10 p.m., and the specialists felt that the water level was ca 50-60 cm (20-24 inches) higher than at 7 p.m. tonight.

7.30 a.m. Wednesday November 6th 1996
The flood seems to have reached its peak at 11 p.m. last night. When checked this morning the water level was 1.5 meters (5 feet) lower than last night. The sensors at the Grímsvötn reservoir indicate that the tremors continue at the same rate, but the flood is waning and is expected to do so rapidly. Nothing is known about the condition of the bridges at Skeiðarásandur as it is still pitch dark there.

9.30 a.m. Wednesday November 6th 1996
The bridge over Skeiðará is still standing, for the main part, 4 or 5 spans have been washed away on the east side. The bridge over Núpsvötn is intact, and the flood is visibly waning. The volume at the peak was 45000 tons/second.

9.00 p.m. Wednesday November 6th 1996
The flood continues to wane, and now damage control and repairs will begin. The extent of the damage, at first sight seems to be as follows:
The bridge over Skeiðará is standing for the most part, 20-25% were destroyed.
The bridge crossing the river Gígjukvísl has been completely washed away.
10 kms (6 miles) of roads are completely washed away,
and a further 10 kms are badly damaged.
Electrical services and phone lines are also severed.
5 kms (3 miles) of the flood dikes have been washed away.
The estimated monetary loss is 1,000,000,000 Icelandic krónur (15 million US dollars). A jury rigged road system should be in place in 3 to 6 weeks,
but a complete rebuilding of the roads, bridges, etc. is expected to take 2 years.

A last burp of the crater happened just after 1 p.m. today, scientists estimate this to have been release of trapped energy that found a channel as the water pressure grew less.

1.30 p.m. Thursday November 7th 1996
The flood has now officially been declared over.
The water volume in the Skeiðará river system is now estimated at 400 tons/second, a far cry from the 45,000 tons/second at its peak. The countryside has of course changed considerably, the main change being at Gígjukvísl, where the bridge that was washed away was 400 meters (1200 feet) in lenght, but the river bed is now 1800 meters (5400 feet) wide.

Minnesota, USA: St. Paul Pioneer Press, Sunday 6th October
A volcano erupting under Europe's largest glacier sent plumes of steam and ash up to 33,000 feet Saturday, and engineers fear flooding from molten rock melting the glacier. The molten rock was spewing from a 5-mile fissure, melting ice and pouring water into a craterlike basin underneath called the Grimsvotn Caldera, said Pall Imsland, a geologist at the University of Iceland. Scientists don't know how long it will take the water to flow 30 miles through underground tunnels to the glacier's edge, which runs along the main road around the country's coast. Engineers are preparing paths for the water to flow.

The Times of London, Monday 7th October
GRIP OF ICELAND - Journalists flock to see nature's power in the raw

Iceland, the remote land of ice and fire, has long held the gentler climates of Europe in thrall. For a land so sparse, so barren and so desolate it has wielded a lasting influence on the European imagination. Medieval man saw the northern island, ringed with volcanic fire, as the gateway to hell. Whalers and fishermen, drawn by the rich harvest of its stormy seas, often perished amid the blizzards that iced over their frail vessels. Iceland's sagas found their way into medieval English, and their harsh tales of retribution underpinned the awe in which this Viking land was held.

That awe remains undiminished today. Iceland is still a country where nature rages untamed. The rumblings of a mighty volcano buried almost a mile beneath a vast glacier presage a devastating eruption. Titanic forces are building up as an underground lake is forced against the icecap and a towering column of ash and steam spews up from the
fissures in the glacier.

The expected inundation as the ice breaks cannot be far away. Hundreds of journalists have arrived in Reykjavik, the largest gathering the capital has attracted since President Reagan and President Gorbachev held their summit in 1986.

Iceland's parliament, the Althing, founded 1,000 years ago, can claim to be the cradle of democracy. It was the first country to elect a woman he ad of state, when Vigdis Finnbogadottir took office 16 years ago. This geophysicists' playground boasts a workforce where two or three jobs-per-person are a commonplace. It lovingly protects its language and a folklore rich in magic crossroads and trolls. It has the highest literacy rate in the world, a vast yearly output of books, a symphony orchestra, ballet, opera, four national television stations, Europe's largest output of bananas thanks to geyser-heated hothouses, a phonebook listing everyone by Christian name, a life expectancy second only to Japan and an enviable standard of living based on a rich catch of cod. Those who flock to view the terrors of nature can only marvel at the tenacity of a people who make a civilised living on one of the globe's most inhospitable terrains.