Although the Icelandic volcano Öræfajökull has been quite quiet in the last few months, the danger of an eruption is apparently not yet averted. IMO scientists have reported that the volcano emits gas that accumulates in subglacial meltwater. The researchers are trying to take gas samples in order to analyse the gas more precisely. So far, it has not become known exactly which gas it is and whether it is regarded as a sign of an imminent eruption. Earthquake activity had recently declined sharply and the IMO gave the all-clear signal that an eruption was no longer expected. However, nobody knows how Öræfajökull will behave shortly before an eruption. Blogger Jon Friman points to a study which shows that some volcanoes have seismic activity decreasing shortly before erupting.