Key-SDA
For the tenth time since 2021 and the seventh time in the past twelve months alone, there has been a spectacular volcanic eruption on the North Atlantic island of Iceland.
(Keystone-SDA) Another kilometre-long fissure in the earth has opened up on the Reykjavík Peninsula south-west of the capital Reykjavík, and masses of red lava are once again making their way to the earth’s surface.
In the morning, the lava flow reached, among other things, an important road in the area, the Grindavíkurvegur, and the well-protected Njardvíkuræd hot water pipeline. The small fishing town of Grindavík was evacuated again, as was the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal bath popular with Icelandic tourists.
Later, the lava masses covered the parking lot of the thermal baths and a small nearby service building made of containers, as images from the Icelandic online newspaper Vísir, among others, showed. Special protective walls had already been built to protect the lagoon itself. It was assumed that they would also serve their purpose in the current situation and protect the bath from lava flow.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the eruption began shortly before midnight (local time). Then the red-hot lava erupted from a crack in the earth that was estimated to be three kilometers long. During the night the volcanic activity seems to have already reached its peak. According to the weather office, there is no sign of it continuing to increase. The authority said the eruption was much smaller than the last one that started in the area three months ago.
“Nature is unpredictable”
Unlike previous events of this nature, the eruption was unexpected: previous eruptions on the peninsula have been heralded by a series of increasingly strong earthquakes lasting days or even weeks. That didn’t happen this time: a small earthquake swarm and the first signs of underground magma impact were recorded just three quarters of an hour before the eruption began.
The start of the eruption also surprised those who had long ago prepared themselves for a life of constant volcanic danger: Fannar Jónasson, the mayor of Grindavík, said according to the Icelandic radio station RÚV, that the eruption happened unexpectedly. . “But nature is unpredictable,” the broadcaster added. The locals are now used to the evacuation of their town.
Aufatmen in Grindavík
During a previous eruption in January, three houses in the foothills of Grindavík were covered in masses of lava – the first time a volcanic eruption in Iceland has destroyed houses in half a century. This time, however, the location of the eruption seems to be more favorable for the town: according to the previous results, the lava did not flow towards the small town, where around 4,000 people lived before the eruptions and in which. a few dozen houses are still inhabited.
Residents of Grindavík can breathe a sigh of relief that the eruption occurred far to the north, Jónasson said. Iceland’s Civil Defense Agency said there was no danger in the area. Iceland’s international airport in nearby Keflavík was also unaffected. “Iceland remains a safe travel destination,” the authorities said.
The eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula do not have to be imagined as the eruptions from a classic volcanic mountain. Instead, the lava flows from an elongated crack in the earth, which is why this type of eruption is also called a fissure eruption. Usually, this does not create a large ash cloud – unlike the eruption of the volcanic glacier Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, whose kilometer-high cloud paralyzed international air traffic for days.
The fissure eruptions can be traced back to some volcanic systems with underground magma chambers. The world under the peninsula in southwest Iceland was quiet for almost 800 years, and then in March 2021 the first eruption occurred. Researchers assume that the current series of eruptions could last for years – so the eruption that has started now is unlikely to be the last.
What are the main geological factors contributing to the high frequency of volcanic eruptions in Iceland?
Interview: The Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland – A Conversation with Dr. Elsa Magnusson, Volcanologist
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Elsa Magnusson, a leading volcanologist who has been studying Icelandic volcanoes for over a decade. Welcome, Dr. Magnusson!
Dr. Elsa Magnusson (EM): Thank you! It’s great to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Iceland recently experienced its tenth volcanic eruption since 2021, and seventh in just twelve months. As a volcanologist, how significant is this pattern, and what does it tell us about the current volcanic activity in Iceland?
EM: This frequency of eruptions is indeed significant. It suggests a state of heightened volcanic activity, likely tied to the geological dynamics of the region. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are diverging. This leads to a constant supply of magma. The recent eruptions indicate that magma is being more actively pushed towards the surface, perhaps due to the accumulation of pressure from below.
TNE: Fascinating! The recent eruption began with a fissure that opened on the Reykjavík Peninsula, which was quite unexpected given that there were no preceding warning signs like strong earthquake swarms. Can you explain why this might have happened?
EM: Certainly. Typically, volcanic eruptions are preceded by a series of seismic events, which signal magma movement beneath the surface. However, this time we saw only minor seismic activity before the eruption—an anomaly. It suggests that there may have been a sudden release of pressure along a fault line or through a previously unknown magma channel, which doesn’t always generate the expected earthquake activity.
TNE: That’s intriguing and a bit unsettling. Residents of Grindavík have been evacuated due to the lava flow engulfing their town. How well do you think Icelandic infrastructure is prepared for such natural disasters, especially given the frequency of these eruptions?
EM: Iceland has made significant advancements in disaster preparedness over the years. The establishment of protective walls, like those built around the Blue Lagoon, shows proactive measures to safeguard key infrastructure. However, the unpredictable nature of volcanic eruptions means that there’s always room for improvement. Continuous monitoring by the Icelandic Meteorological Office plays a crucial role in providing timely information to mitigate risks, even if surprises like this recent eruption can still happen.
TNE: Speaking of unpredictability, Mayor Fannar Jónasson mentioned that ”nature is unpredictable.” What strategies do you think scientists and local governments can employ to better anticipate and respond to such sporadic volcanic activity?
EM: Developing better predictive models is key. This involves studying previous eruptions and their patterns, gathering long-term data on seismic activity, and utilizing advanced technology for real-time monitoring. Additionally, collaborating with the community to improve evacuation plans and public awareness is essential. It’s about creating a resilient community that understands the risks and can respond effectively.
TNE: It sounds like a multifaceted approach is necessary. As someone who has studied Icelandic volcanoes closely, what remains the most surprising aspect of the country’s volcanic activity for you?
EM: I’m always amazed by the sheer power and beauty of these eruptions. Each one is unique—not just in scale but also in how it interacts with the environment. The lava flows can create new landscapes almost overnight, changing the geography in remarkable ways. This dynamic interplay between nature and human life will always be a source of fascination for me.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Magnusson, for sharing your insights today. The relationship between humans and nature in volcanic areas like Iceland is a complex and ever-evolving story.
EM: Thank you for having me. I hope we can continue to learn from these natural phenomena while ensuring the safety and resilience of the communities involved.
TNE: Absolutely! We look forward to keeping tabs on both the volcanic activity in Iceland and your research. Until next time!