Iceland evacuations as volcano spews lava again
A state of emergency has been declared in southern Iceland due to yet another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the fourth eruption since December.
Residents of the small town of Grindavik, significantly impacted by the ongoing eruptions, are among those urged to evacuate the area. The nearby renowned tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon, has also been evacuated.
Despite the eruption, Iceland’s airspace remains open, though a vast lava spill is generating significant smoke.
The eruption, according to Iceland’s civil defense service, commenced after 20:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, situated between Hagafell and Stora-Scogfell, north of Grindavik—a location reminiscent of the eruption on 8 December.
Video footage captures the explosion, showcasing billowing smoke clouds and molten magma seeping from earth vents.
Thankfully, Keflavik International Airport and other regional airports remain unaffected by the eruption.
Geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, who conducted aerial surveys of the affected areas via helicopter, informed local media that Saturday’s eruption stands as the most potent thus far.
Reports indicate that two lava flows are advancing westward and southward, with media outlets noting that one of the flows has reached the eastern defensive barriers of Grindavik.
Mr Gudmundsson said it was also possible lava could flow into the sea, but that this may not happen if the volcanic activity eases.
Einar Bessi Gestsson, a natural disaster expert at the Norwegian Meteorological Agency, has told Iceland’s public broadcaster RUV that dangerous gases and small explosions could occur if lava makes contact with sea water.
Meanwhile, the lava moving west has reportedly reached the Grindavikurveg road leading into Grindavik – heading in the direction of the Blue Lagoon and the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, which provides hot water for most of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Many protective embankments have been built around both, the head of the Reykjavik-based Nordic Volcanological Centre, Rikke Pedersen, told Reuters.
There are concerns that fibre optic cables on the road could be damaged – causing disruption to phone and internet services.
The Blue Lagoon is closed until further notice as a precaution. There were between 500-600 people in the area when Saturday’s eruption happened, Ms Pedersen said.
Between five and 10 homes in Grindavik were also cleared.
The town’s roughly 4,000 residents were only allowed to return to their homes about a month ago after an eruption in January saw magma spread into the town, destroying three homes.
Most of them have chosen not to return.
Iceland has 33 active volcano systems and sits over what is known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the boundary between two of the largest tectonic plates on the planet.
The last time the Reykjanes Peninsula had a period of volcanic activity was 800 years ago – and the eruptions went on for decades.
This is now the seventh eruption since 2021, and scientists believe the area is entering a new volcanic era that could last for decades or even centuries.
