The eruption of an Icelandic volcano spewed lava high into the air, prompting an emergency evacuation of tourists. The southwestern peninsula’s Reykjanes volcano has erupted seven times since last December, and it burst forth again on Wednesday night with very little warning.
The outbreak began at 11:14pm, creating a new fissure approximately 1.8 miles in length. Gas emissions pose the primary risk following this volcanic event, resulting in alerts from authorities and evacuations, including from the renowned Blue Lagoon resort.
Reports from Iceland’s meteorological office suggest that the eruption was somewhat less intense than its predecessor in August. “In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May,” said Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, a professor of geophysics, after surveying the site by air with the Civil Protection agency.
Although the eruption isn’t expected to disrupt air travel, gas emission warnings are in effect for parts of the peninsula, impacting areas like Grindavík town. An estimated 50 houses were cleared out following the alert, with guests of the Blue Lagoon spa also having to leave, media reports state.
(Image: AP)
The repetitive volcanic eruptions not far from Grindavík, a town situated roughly 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik and home to about 3,800 people, have wrought havoc on structures and necessitated the evacuation of numerous inhabitants for their protection. “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,” said Magnús Tumi, reinforcing the town’s current safety despite the circumstances, reports the Mirror US.
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Iceland lies atop a volcanic hotspot and typically experiences an eruption every four to five years. The most significant recent disruption was caused by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano’s 2010 event, which generated ash clouds affecting trans-Atlantic flights for an extended period.
(Image: AP)
Fannar Jónasson, Mayor of Grindavik, admitted the latest volcanic activity was quite unexpected, saying: “But that is how unpredictable nature is.”
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Though an eruption was anticipated only weeks away, the volcanic lava flow has already started traveling westward. Benedikt Ófeigsson from the Norwegian Meteorological Agency assured local media Channel 2 that: “There is currently nothing in danger, and if this does not develop much differently than it has been doing, the infrastructure should escape this quite well.”
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