A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday, spewing ash and lava, the sixth such eruption since December, in response to the Icelandic Meteorological Service.
The eruption of the volcano, a part of the Svartsengi volcanic system on the Reykjanes peninsula, marked continuation of intensive geological activity in a area the place eight volcanic eruptions have been recorded since 2021. several of which happened this year. Earlier than 2021, the volcanoes of the Reykjanes Peninsula had been dormant for about 800 years.
The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa and widespread vacationer vacation spot close to the location of the eruption, mentioned it had evacuated its friends and can be closed on Friday as a “precautionary measure”. Grindavik, the close by fishing city of almost 4,000 individuals, was largely empty of its inhabitants since January, after volcanic exercise started to threaten the realm.
The eruption occurred in a part of a newly lively volcanic zone in Iceland that had been dormant for eight centuries before the activity that started last Decemberwith its final eruption starting in Might.
Scientists mentioned they anticipate the realm to proceed producing magma and producing eruptions each few months for years, probably many years.
“With each eruption we see new sudden occasions,” mentioned Matthew J. Roberts, managing director of the Icelandic Meteorological Service, which screens volcanic exercise along with climate patterns.
There are vital risks through the early phases of an eruption, particularly within the first hour when intense strain sends magma to the floor, Mr Roberts mentioned. “That is once we see the very best move charges and the best hazard to infrastructure and human life if anybody leads to the realm,” he mentioned.
About 10 to 30 residents remained in Grindavik after the evacuations, though residents who personal houses within the city have been legally allowed to go to and stay, regardless of strict police entry to the threatened space. The town is supplied with a siren system that may be activated inside seconds of a civil protection alert, Mr Roberts mentioned.
Authorities have been involved that with every subsequent eruption, it might turn into more and more tough to include the lava. A sequence of limitations fabricated from boulders the dimensions of small automobiles have been put in place to include the lava.
These “rings of safety,” as Mr. Roberts known as them, surrounded the city of Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon. However these limitations have been approaching the purpose the place there can be no extra room to carry the lava, doubtlessly inflicting it to overflow. “When that occurs,” Mr. Roberts mentioned, “it’s totally tough to manage.”
Excessive-capacity water pumps have been put in to spray water on the lava in locations the place the dikes may very well be overturned. Throughout an eruption in late Might, the lava move crossed a significant street and threatened to succeed in a vital pipeline that transports sizzling water from the Svartsengi energy plant to close by cities.
Whereas the location of this newest eruption is remoted from different cities and infrastructure, volcanic exercise in coming years might shift and threaten populated areas, Mr Roberts mentioned.
To this point, most of Iceland’s points of interest and concrete facilities have remained unaffected by the eruptions, permitting the nation to securely welcome guests whereas providing some explorers a uncommon glimpse into the uncooked energy of nature. Air journey to and from Iceland isn’t anticipated to be disrupted, in response to Iceland Air’s web site.
Volcanic eruptions are not uncommon in Iceland, which has lower than 400,000 inhabitants and about 130 volcanoes. Not a decade has passed by with out one for the reason that nineteenth century, Iceland’s tourism web site tells guests. The prevalence of eruptions stays “fully random”.
The nation is located between two tectonic plates, that are themselves separated by an underwater mountain vary from which sizzling molten rock or magma is launched.
