Iceland volcano erupts, missing town of Grindavik
Published: 04:12 PM,Dec 19,2023 | EDITED : 08:12 PM,Dec 19,2023
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COPENHAGEN: Lava from a large volcanic eruption in Iceland appeared to be flowing away from the only town in the area, offering hope that homes and lives would be spared even though the seismic activity could last months, officials said on Tuesday. The government said flights were unlikely to be affected, quashing international travel concerns lingering after the chaos that resulted from the ash cloud caused by an eruption on the north Atlantic island in 2010.
The eruption late on Monday on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland spewed lava and smoke more than 100 metres into the air after weeks of intense seismic activity.
“The eruption does not present a threat to life,” an Icelandic government statement said. “There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open.”
Authorities last month evacuated the nearly 4,000 inhabitants of the fishing town of Grindavik about 40 km southwest of capital city Reykjavik, letting them in intermittently to check on homes put at risk by the tremors.
Live footage of the eruption shown by Reuters showed bright yellow, orange and red lava in sharp contrast against the sky.
The eruption opened a 4 km fissure. But at its southernmost point the crack was still 3 km away from Grindavik, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
“The eruption is taking place north of the watershed, so lava does not flow towards Grindavik,” geologist Bjorn Oddson told public broadcaster RUV. The eruption is happening about 30 km from Reykjavik. Keflavik international airport is somewhat nearer but remains open. The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa popular with tourists, has been largely closed since the seismic activity was detected.
“It could potentially go on for several months, it could also just stop later today or tomorrow,” said Halldor Geirson, an associate professor at Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland. — Reuters
The eruption late on Monday on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland spewed lava and smoke more than 100 metres into the air after weeks of intense seismic activity.
“The eruption does not present a threat to life,” an Icelandic government statement said. “There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open.”
Authorities last month evacuated the nearly 4,000 inhabitants of the fishing town of Grindavik about 40 km southwest of capital city Reykjavik, letting them in intermittently to check on homes put at risk by the tremors.
Live footage of the eruption shown by Reuters showed bright yellow, orange and red lava in sharp contrast against the sky.
The eruption opened a 4 km fissure. But at its southernmost point the crack was still 3 km away from Grindavik, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
“The eruption is taking place north of the watershed, so lava does not flow towards Grindavik,” geologist Bjorn Oddson told public broadcaster RUV. The eruption is happening about 30 km from Reykjavik. Keflavik international airport is somewhat nearer but remains open. The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa popular with tourists, has been largely closed since the seismic activity was detected.
“It could potentially go on for several months, it could also just stop later today or tomorrow,” said Halldor Geirson, an associate professor at Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland. — Reuters