An Icelandic volcano in the southwestern part of the country erupted on Wednesday, marking its fifth eruption since December. The latest eruption sent red-hot lava streams towards the coastal town of Grindavik, leading to the evacuation of the town and the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
The eruption commenced in the early afternoon following a series of earthquakes north of the town. Grindavik, which has a population of approximately 3,800 people, was largely evacuated in December when the volcano reawakened after centuries of dormancy, showcasing nature’s raw power.
Most Vigorous Eruption Yet
By early evening, volcanic activity began to subside, but experts estimated this eruption to be the most vigorous in the series. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported lava shooting 50 meters (165 feet) into the air from a fissure stretching 3.5 kilometers (2.1 miles). Protective barriers built to shield Grindavik managed to deflect the lava, although it cut off two of the three roads leading to the town and threatened the third.
Grindavik Mayor Fannar Jónasson informed the national broadcaster RUV, “It’s a much larger volume that’s on the move right now headed for town. The lava has already conquered a lot.” Earlier in the day, police ordered all remaining workers and residents to evacuate. The Blue Lagoon thermal spa, one of Iceland’s major tourist attractions, was also evacuated prior to the eruption.
Ash Cloud and Aviation Threats
A significant dark plume of ash rose from the crater, a result of magma interacting explosively with groundwater. Although the ash cloud did not immediately pose a threat to aviation, scientists, including Jóhanna Malen Skúladóttir from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, were closely monitoring the situation.
Grindavik, located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, has been under threat since a swarm of earthquakes in November. This swarm forced an evacuation ahead of the initial December 18 eruption. The subsequent eruptions overwhelmed defensive barriers and destroyed several buildings. The area is part of the Svartsengi volcanic system, which had been dormant for nearly 800 years before its recent reawakening.
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Historical Context and Preparedness
The volcano erupted again in February and March, with the February 8 eruption engulfing a pipeline, thereby cutting off heat and hot water to thousands of residents.
Iceland, situated above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, frequently experiences eruptions and has developed significant expertise in managing them. The 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano is one of the most disruptive recent events, causing extensive airspace closures over Europe due to massive ash clouds.
This latest eruption underscores the ongoing volatility of Iceland's volcanic landscape and the challenges faced by its residents and infrastructure.
Discover the latest eruption of an Icelandic volcano that led to the evacuation of Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon spa. Learn about the impacts, ongoing threats, and Iceland's volcanic preparedness.
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Source: Associated Press
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