A state of emergency has been declared in southern Iceland following another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the fourth occurrence since December.
Residents of Grindavik, a town significantly impacted by the recent volcanic activities, are among those instructed to evacuate. Additionally, the Blue Lagoon, a renowned tourist destination in Iceland, has been evacuated as a precaution.
Despite the eruption, Iceland’s airspace remains open. The eruption, which began shortly after 20:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday between Hagafell and Stora-Scogfell, just north of Grindavik, is generating extensive smoke from a substantial lava flow. This site is consistent with the location of an eruption that initiated on December 8.
Visuals from the scene depict smoke clouds and the spectacle of glowing magma emerging from the earth’s fissures. Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a geophysicist who surveyed the affected zones by helicopter, described Saturday’s eruption as the most intense thus far, with lava advancing westward and southward. There is speculation that the southward-moving lava might encounter defensive barriers constructed around Grindavik, with the potential for lava to enter the sea, though this outcome is contingent on the continuation of volcanic activity.
The Icelandic Meteorological Agency noted the eruption’s abrupt onset and preliminary analyses suggest the magma output mirrors that of the December eruption. The agency also anticipates that incoming adverse weather conditions may hinder monitoring efforts.
Keflavik International Airport and other local airports have not experienced disruptions due to the eruption. However, the Blue Lagoon has been temporarily closed. Grindavik’s residents, nearly 4,000 in total, had only recently returned to their homes following a January eruption that resulted in magma flow into the town, destroying three properties. According to AFP, about 100 residents have opted to return.
A subsequent eruption in February caused a critical water pipeline to burst, affecting many residents’ access to services.
Iceland, home to 33 active volcanic systems, is positioned atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, delineating the boundary between two major tectonic plates. The Reykjanes Peninsula had not experienced volcanic activity for 800 years until the recent series of eruptions began in 2021. This marks the seventh eruption since that year, with scientists suggesting the commencement of a new volcanic era that could persist for decades or even centuries.
