A volcano in southwestern Iceland that has roared back to life after eight centuries of silence has erupted for the seventh time since December, sending molten lava flowing towards the Blue Lagoon spa, a major tourist attraction.
The eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula started with little warning at 11:14 p.m. (2314 GMT) Wednesday and created a fissure around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long.
Members of the media work next to the lava flow during a volcanic eruption near Grindavik, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, 21 November 2024 ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Footage taken from a plane bound for Keflavik Airport, Iceland, shows the volcano erupting. KAYLEIGH PATTER via REUTERS
A volcano in Iceland has roared back to life after eight centuries of silence. APThe activity is estimated to be considerably smaller than the previous eruption in August, according to Iceland’s meteorological office that monitors seismic activity.
Most of the previous eruptions have subsided within days.
“In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May,” Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the scene with the Civil Protection agency to monitor the event, told national broadcaster RUV.
The eruption prompted the evacuation of dozens of households. AP
The repeated volcanic eruptions have damaged infrastructure and property, forcing many residents to relocate. ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“Grindavík is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out,” Magnús Tumi said. AP
Lava flows across one of the roads near Grindavik, Reykjanes Peninsula. ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
While the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavík APWhile the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavík, which was largely evacuated a year ago when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years.
Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection Agency issued the alert, along with guests at the Blue Lagoon.
According to reports, the activity is estimated to be considerably smaller than the previous eruption in August. ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A scientist from the University of Iceland observes lava flowing on the road to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik. AP
“Grindavík is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out,” Magnús Tumi said. ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockBy Thursday afternoon lava had spread across the parking lot of the geothermal spa, one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, consuming a service building.
Lava also reached the pipeline that supplies the peninsula with hot water for heating, the meteorological office said, though the pipes were built to withstand lava flow.
Machineries, seen through smoke behind, are working on protective barriers to regulate the flow of molten lava after the volcanic eruption that started Wednesday. AP
Lava also reached the pipeline that supplies the peninsula with hot water for heating, the meteorological office said. ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Lava had spread across the parking lot of the geothermal spa, one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions. ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockThe repeated volcanic eruptions close to Grindavík, which is about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, and had a population before the eruptions of 3,800, have damaged infrastructure and property, forcing many residents to relocate to guarantee their safety.
“Grindavík is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out,” Magnús Tumi said.
Iceland averages one eruption every four to five years. via REUTERS
The activity is producing stunning — but dangerous — lava flows. via REUTERSIceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years.
The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted trans-Atlantic air travel for months.
