ICELAND – The eruption of the volcano near Grindavík was expected, this week it is mobilizing scientists and authorities, who are monitoring the evolution of the phenomenon.
The Icelanders have been waiting for it for weeks, the volcanic massif of the Reykjanes peninsula has awakened and this could change the daily lives of many residents for weeks. “An effusive eruption began a few kilometers northeast of Grindavík,” the Icelandic Meteorological Institute (IMO) announced in a statement Monday evening. This volcano is located 40 kilometers from the capital Reykjavik. The IMO added that this seismic activity had generated small earthquakes that experts are monitoring closely: a crack approximately 2.8 km long was created by the phenomenon.
The images of the eruption, broadcast on social networks by Icelandic media, are impressive. The Reykjanes Peninsula fills with lava. “Our thoughts are (…) with the local population, we hope for the best, but it is clear that this is a considerable eruption,” reacted the Prime Minister on Facebook. According to the authorities, the population should not be in danger in the current state of the eruption, taking into account the warning and evacuation systems put in place.
Happening now: Volcano erupts for the fourth time in less than three years on the Reykjanes peninsula near Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. This comes after the area recorded thousands of earthquakes over the past weeks. pic.twitter.com/TiW2SCGpQU
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) December 18, 2023
Iceland finally cracked open to unleash torrents of lava. While tourists have flocked to see past eruptions, officials are warning this new eruption is not tourist-friendly and seems to be significantly larger than the Fagradalsfjall in 2021
Here’s what to know pic.twitter.com/pAgUXeO4uv
— Maya Wei-Haas, Ph.D. (@WeiPoints) December 19, 2023
“For the moment, there is no disruption to arrival or departure from Keflavik airport,” said Icelandic airport operator ISAVIA. But traffic should be impacted soon, even if the eruption will not produce the same effects as those of 2010, during the massive eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, which paralyzed the air sector.
Iceland has 32 volcanic systems considered active. On the Reykjanes Peninsula, three eruptions have taken place in recent years: in March 2021, in August 2022 and in July 2023.