Iceland is currently facing the formidable challenge of contending with the powerful forces of nature, as molten lava from a volcano in the southwest of the island has engulfed several houses in the evacuated town of Grindavik, according to the country’s president.
Despite scientists indicating on Monday that the eruption seems to be diminishing, it remains too early to declare the danger completely averted. The Meteorological Office of Iceland expressed difficulty in estimating the duration of the ongoing eruption.
President Gudni Th. Johannesson, in a televised address on Sunday, acknowledged the commencement of a challenging period of upheaval on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where a previously dormant volcanic system has been reawakened. This marks the second eruption on the peninsula in less than a month, with the latest occurrence resulting in orange lava bursting through two fissures near the fishing town of Grindavik. The evacuation of residents was ordered hours before the eruption, prompted by a series of small earthquakes indicating imminent volcanic activity.
The impact extended to the closure of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a significant tourist attraction in Iceland, with plans to remain shut until at least Tuesday. Grindavik, home to 3,800 people and located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik, had experienced evacuation in November due to the awakening of the Svartsengi volcanic system after nearly 800 years of dormancy. The eruption on December 18 saw lava flowing away from Grindavik, and residents were allowed to return to their homes on December 22.
Emergency workers have since constructed defensive walls that successfully impeded much of the lava flow from the new eruption, preventing further damage to the town. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported on Monday that the lava flow from the eruptive fissures has decreased, particularly from the southern fissure, which appears to have ceased. The remaining lava flow is now directed southwest along protective barriers, and its trajectory seems to have stabilized.
While no casualties have been reported from the eruptions, a worker is currently missing after reportedly falling into a crack created by the volcano. The president emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the unfolding of the eruption but urged proactive measures within the nation’s capacity. He affirmed the commitment to responsibilities and unity in the face of these formidable natural forces.
Iceland, situated above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions approximately every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent memory was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which emitted ash clouds into the atmosphere, causing months of disruption to trans-Atlantic air travel. However, the current eruption is not anticipated to release significant amounts of ash into the air, and operations at Keflavík Airport are reportedly continuing as usual, according to the spokesperson for airport operator Isavia, Gudjon Helgason.
