Picture Show Red Clouds In Iceland
Southern Iceland has declared a state of emergency due to a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the fourth eruption since December.
Considered the most potent eruption yet, lava from the Reykjanes Peninsula volcano has breached the eastern defenses near the evacuated town of Grindavik, as reported by local media.
Residents have been relocated from the vicinity of the renowned Blue Lagoon, a major tourist destination in Iceland.
Despite the volcanic activity, Iceland's airspace remains operational, although a vast plume of smoke emanates from the colossal lava spill.
According to Iceland's Meteorological Office, lava streams persisted into Sunday, albeit at a decelerated pace. Additionally, activity surrounding the volcanic fissure has begun to subside.
VÃdir Reynisson, the director of Iceland's civil defense, emphasized that all necessary preparations for the lava flow had been completed, with the foremost concern being the potential impact on infrastructure. He also expressed apprehension regarding pools of lava accumulating near defensive structures.
The eruption commenced after 20:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, north of Grindavik, as confirmed by the country's civil defense service. Notably, this is the same location where the eruption occurred on December 8.
Footage capturing the eruption illustrates clouds of smoke and glowing magma emanating from vents in the earth.
Thankfully, the explosion has not disrupted operations at the main international airport, situated to the northwest of Grindavik.
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| Emergency vehicles are pictured as molten lava flows out from a fissure on the Reykjanes peninsula. |
Geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, who was among those to fly over the affected areas in a helicopter, told local media that Saturday's eruption was the most powerful so far.
Two lava streams have been moving west and south. Local media reported that lava from the latter had reached Grindavik's eastern defence walls.
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 is heading in the direction of the Blue Lagoon and a geothermal power plant, which provides hot water for most of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The Icelandic Met Office said this lava bed was "significantly wider" than in February, when an earlier eruption caused lava to flow in a similar direction.
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.
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| People seen gathering on Saturday to watch the lava flow from a fissure caused by a volcanic eruption. |
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| The skyline of Reykjavik turns orange following the eruption. |
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.