Southern Iceland has declared a state of emergency following yet another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the fourth since December.
The eruption, characterized by powerful and rapid lava flows, commenced late on Saturday. However, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) noted that flows have been “slow and steady” since Sunday morning.
Lava has now reached the eastern defenses near the mostly evacuated town of Grindavik. The IMO also reported that the lava was just 200 meters (650 feet) away from the region’s water pipe, a crucial infrastructure element.
The distribution pipe is located near the Svartsengi power plant, a key geothermal facility that supplies hot water to much of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Officials are closely monitoring the situation, with concerns raised about potential dangers if the lava reaches the sea as it continues to flow southwards.
Quoted by the Iceland’s public broadcaster (RUV), Kristin Jonsdottir explained that “if lava, which is alkaline, comes into contact with sea water, chlorine fumes can be produced”.
Another concern, she warned, is that “minor explosions” could occur if lava becomes unstable as it interacts with seawater.
🇮🇸 Iceland, Reykjanes Pinsula
Overnight another eruption in Iceland occurred, the small Island has seen a series of volcanic activity in 2024 spewing out millions of tonnes of Co2 into the atmosphere.
Yet the Globalists want you to think that cows farting is the problem. pic.twitter.com/1WK6teVF91
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) March 17, 2024
Activity around the fissure, initially measuring 3 kilometers long (1.9 miles), has now subsided. VÃdir Reynisson, the director of Iceland’s civil defense, stated that all necessary preparations for the lava flow had been completed, and the primary concern was the impact on infrastructure.
Reynisson also expressed concern about pools of lava accumulating near defenses. He informed reporters on Sunday that it was possible that all roads leading to Grindavik would be closed.
The eruption commenced at 20:23 local time (20:23 GMT) on Saturday, north of Grindavik, according to the country’s met office. This eruption occurred in a similar location to the one that began on December 8.
Footage of the eruption shows clouds of smoke and glowing magma oozing and bubbling from vents in the earth. However, the eruption has not affected the main international airport, located to the northwest of Grindavik.
The lava flow was directed towards the Blue Lagoon, which has been closed as a precaution until further notice. Ms. Pedersen stated that there were between 500-600 people in the area when the eruption occurred on Saturday.
Additionally, between five and ten homes in Grindavik were evacuated. The town’s approximately 4,000 residents had only recently been permitted to return to their homes about a month ago following an eruption in January, which resulted in magma spreading into the town and destroying three homes.
While most residents have opted not to return, a few have chosen to stay.