A volcano only erupted in Iceland in January – now another eruption is being reported. A kilometer-long crack in the earth has opened up in the southwest of the country and lava is gushing out of it. The hot water supply is interrupted.
Another volcanic eruption has occurred in southwest Iceland. North of the coastal town of Grindavik, a long crack in the earth has opened up, from which lava bubbled up several meters into the air.
According to the weather authority Vedurstofa, the lava fountains northeast of the Sylingarfell mountain reached a height of around 50 to 80 meters. The steam cloud even rose to a height of around three kilometers. A lava field quickly formed around the crack, as seen in live streams from Icelandic broadcaster RUV.
Lava cuts off hot water supply
The lava also made its way across an important road and a water pipeline. This disrupted the hot water supply in the affected area. Icelandic authorities declared a state of emergency for the region on the Reykjanes Peninsula southwest of Reykjavik.
The hot water pipe was broken, causing a shortage of hot water in the Sudurnes region, the Civil Defense and Police Authority said in the afternoon. As a result, many buildings cannot currently be heated. The authority called on residents and businesses on the peninsula to save electricity and water. The municipality of Reykjanesbær announced that kindergartens, primary schools and other facilities should remain closed until supplies are restored.
Three kilometer long crack
According to the weather agency Vedurstofa, the eruption began at around 6 a.m. northeast of Sylingarfell on Thursday, after being announced shortly before by increasing earthquake activity. The crack is about three kilometers long and the lava initially flows mainly to the west, the authority said.
The weather authority had recently recorded a new accumulation of several million cubic meters of magma below the area and therefore warned that the likelihood of another eruption in the near future had increased.
How long the outbreak will last this time cannot yet be estimated. However, experts expected that he would be able to lie down again within a few days.
Outbreak only in January
In the volcanic area on the Reykjanes Peninsula southwest of Reykjavik there have been repeated spectacular fissure eruptions of this type in recent times – overall, this is the sixth volcanic eruption in Iceland within two years. An outbreak only occurred on January 14th near the town of Grindavik, which has a population of 4,000.
The location of the current eruption is “favorably” located because no infrastructure is threatened, said seismologist Kristin Jonsdottir from the Icelandic Meteorological Institute to broadcaster RUV.
The Blue Lagoon thermal spa, which is popular with tourists and located near Sylingarfell, remained closed. The holidaymakers staying at the resort were evacuated, RUV reported, citing civil defense. “The situation is under control, there is no danger. The airport is safe. The people are 100 percent safe,” said the civil defense spokeswoman.
With more than 30 active volcanic systems, Iceland is the largest and most active volcanic region in Europe. The island nation in the North Atlantic lies on the so-called Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which separates the Eurasian and North American plates.
Julia Waschenbach, ARD Stockholm, tagesschau, February 8, 2024 12:32 p.m