BREAKING: ICELAND VOLCANO ERUPTION A volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula close to Reykjavik has erupted. It follows a series of overnight earthquakes in the region that caused the evacuation of residents from the local town of Grindavik. This marks the fifth eruption on the peninsula since 2021. Source: CNN Reuters
Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula Volcano Eruption Prompts Evacuation
In a significant development, a volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, near Reykjavik, has erupted following a series of overnight earthquakes. This eruption marks the fifth on the peninsula since 2021 and comes after a previous fissure opened up in December, creating a river of lava. The seismic activity has led to the evacuation of residents from the town of Grindavik, situated about 70 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik.
Iceland’s National Commissioner of Police has ordered the evacuation of Grindavik once again, after volcanic fissures opened on roads in the area. The town had previously been evacuated in November due to weeks of seismic activity, culminating in a dramatic eruption that expelled bursts of lava and sent plumes of smoke into the sky.
The Blue Lagoon, a popular geothermal attraction in Grindavik, has also been affected by the evacuation order. The Civil Protection Agency stated that the order is expected to be in effect for the upcoming three weeks, with only exceptions for official business or residents salvaging valuables for short periods.
The decision to evacuate comes after the Icelandic Meteorological Office raised the risk associated with volcanic fissures in its latest assessment. The agency noted that the amount of magma had reached a level similar to the December eruption but raised concerns about the possibility of magma migrating further south, potentially reaching Grindavik town.
Iceland, home to 32 active volcanoes, sits on a tectonic plate boundary, continuously splitting apart along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The country is accustomed to volcanic eruptions, typically occurring in the wilderness away from populated areas. While experts do not anticipate the recent series of eruptions to cause chaos on the scale of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which led to widespread flight cancellations, the situation remains closely monitored due to the potential impact on public safety.
The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption caused significant disruptions, with around 100,000 flights canceled, affecting 2 million people. Unlike the Eyjafjallajökull eruption, the current eruption is not expected to involve glacial ice, reducing the likelihood of a large ash cloud that could disrupt air travel.
