A volcano in southwestern Iceland has erupted for the fifth time since December, spewing red streams of lava and triggering the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported on Wednesday that the eruption began near Sundhnuksgigar, north of Grindavík, nearly three weeks after the end of a previous eruption that had been ongoing since March 16.
The IMO stated that “the eruption cloud reached an altitude of about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) at the beginning of the eruption,” which created a fissure estimated to be more than 1 km (0.6 miles) long. Dramatic visuals showed a large white cloud of smoke billowing against a blue sky. Volcanologist Benedikt Ófeigsson told Icelandic public broadcaster RUV that the fissure was growing and had extended to more than 2.5 km (1.6 miles) an hour after the eruption began.
The nearby Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s biggest tourist attraction known for its turquoise waters, evacuated its facilities on Wednesday. Despite the eruption, air traffic was not expected to be disrupted, with the international airport Keflavik “open and operating in the usual way,” according to airport operator Isavia.
Prior to the eruption, the IMO had reported “intense earthquake activity” with “about 400 earthquakes” recorded in the past seven days near the Sundhnuksgigar crater row. Additionally, approximately 20 million cubic meters (26 million cubic yards) of magma had accumulated in the magma chamber below Svartsengi, an area housing a power plant that supplies electricity and water to 30,000 people on the peninsula.
The Svartsengi plant, which had been evacuated and largely operated remotely since the first eruption in December, is protected by barriers. Most of the 4,000 residents of Grindavík were permanently evacuated in November, following previous eruptions. Lava flowed into the streets of Grindavík during the January eruption, engulfing three homes, though a few residents had returned to live in less at-risk neighbourhoods.
Until March 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula had not experienced an eruption for eight centuries. Subsequent eruptions in August 2022, July, and December last year led volcanologists to believe a new era of seismic activity in the region had begun.
Ongoing Monitoring in Iceland
Coast guard helicopters have been deployed to determine Wednesday’s eruption’s exact location and size. Iceland, home to 33 active volcano systems—the highest number in Europe—straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor that separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Víðir Reynisson from Iceland’s Civil Defense reported that lava is flowing outside the defence walls at Grindavík and Svartsengi. Although the barriers are holding for now, there is a significant risk that Grindavík could become completely cut off. Reynisson noted that the defensive walls have so far prevented houses in the western part of the town from being engulfed by lava.
Most of Grindavík was evacuated before a previous eruption in December, but police reported that three residents are refusing to leave despite warnings. The eruption has also affected the town’s infrastructure, with electricity cut off as a precautionary measure. Kristinn Harðarsonar, production manager at energy company HS Orka, confirmed that most high-voltage lines have been damaged or destroyed by the lava, and some pylons are on fire.
Benedikt Ófeigsson from Iceland’s Met Office explained that the current eruption is more powerful due to the larger amount of accumulated magma, resulting in a greater volume of lava flow. This eruption has prompted the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon, a renowned geothermal spa and tourist hotspot just under an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, for the third time in over two months.
Future Outlook
Despite the eruption, Iceland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that there had been no disruption to international or domestic flights.
The Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its volcanic activity, is characterized by a rift valley with lava fields and cones rather than a central volcano. Until March 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula had not experienced an eruption for eight centuries. Subsequent eruptions in August 2022, July, and December last year led volcanologists to believe a new era of seismic activity in the region had begun. This latest eruption underscores Iceland’s status as one of the most active volcanic regions on the planet.
Click here to read Icelandic Met Office’s Official Report
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