Volcanic Eruption Unfolds on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula
December 19, 2023 |
| An Icelandic coastguard helicopter flying above magma near Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula. |
Eruption on Reykjanes peninsula in southwest takes place following evacuation of thousands from nearby town.
In a dramatic turn of events, a volcano has erupted on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, following weeks of heightened earthquake activity. The Icelandic Met Office reported that the eruption commenced north of the town of Grindavik at 22:17 local time, prompting the evacuation of approximately 4,000 residents and the closure of the renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
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| Volcano eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 3 km north of Grindavik, Iceland, following an earthquake on Dec. 18, 2023. |
The region had been on high alert since November when thousands of small earthquakes, centered about 40km (25 miles) south of Reykjavik, triggered the evacuation of Grindavik and the temporary closure of the Blue Lagoon. Iceland, situated above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions roughly every four to five years.
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| People watch as the night sky is illuminated caused by the eruption of a volcano in Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula |
Despite the current eruption, experts believe it will not result in the same level of disruption witnessed during the infamous 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption, which led to the grounding of flights across Europe due to concerns about ash damage to aircraft engines. Scientists suggest that the new eruption is more likely to produce lava rather than an ash cloud.
Authorities are actively responding to the situation, with a coast guard helicopter dispatched to confirm the precise location and size of the eruption. Additionally, the helicopter will measure gas emissions to assess potential environmental impacts.
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| The magma flow on a hill near Grindavik town, which sits on the Reykjanes peninsula and is close to Keflavik airport, Iceland’s main facility for international flights |
As Iceland grapples with the unfolding volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula, the world watches with a keen interest. While the current eruption is not anticipated to reach the scale of the 2010 event, it serves as a reminder of the dynamic geological forces shaping our planet and the need for vigilance in the face of nature's unpredictable power.
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