State of Emergency Declared in Southern Iceland After Fourth Volcanic Eruption
REYKJAVIK — Southern Iceland is in a state of emergency following another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula — marking the fourth eruption since December.
Lava has now reached the eastern defenses surrounding the evacuated town of Grindavik, as reported by local media.
The eruption began late on Saturday, with powerful and fast lava flows that have since decreased significantly.
The fissure, which was initially 3km long (1.9 miles), has now shown diminished activity.
Despite the lava streams still flowing on Sunday, the rate of movement has started to slow down, according to Iceland’s Meteorological Office.
Director of Iceland’s Civil Defense Vídir Reynisson expressed concerns about the impact on infrastructure, with pools of lava gathering near defenses also posing a threat.
Geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, who surveyed the affected areas from a helicopter, described Saturday’s eruption as the most powerful one yet.
Two lava streams are heading west and south, with one reaching the eastern defense walls of Grindavik.
There is a possibility of lava flowing into the sea, which may lead to dangerous gases and small explosions, as warned by natural disaster expert Einar Bessi Gestsson.
The Blue Lagoon and a geothermal power plant are in the path of the lava moving west, raising concerns for potential disruptions to essential services.
Protective embankments have been constructed around critical infrastructure, but there are fears of damage to fiber optic cables that could affect communication services.
With this being the seventh eruption in 2021, scientists believe the Reykjanes Peninsula is entering a new volcanic era that could last for decades or even centuries.
The last period of volcanic activity in the region occurred 800 years ago, with eruptions lasting for decades.
The resilience of the Icelandic people is being tested once again as they navigate the challenges posed by the volatile nature of their unique landscape.
