A volcano erupted south of Reykjavik on Tuesday, unleashing a spectacular display of lava and smoke that prompted the evacuation of nearby residents and tourists. Despite the dramatic scene, air traffic remained uninterrupted, showcasing Iceland’s resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
Known as the “land of ice and fire,” Iceland has experienced 11 eruptions south of its capital since 2021, marking a resurgence of geological activity after nearly 800 years of dormancy. The Icelandic meteorological office issued a warning, stating, “An eruption has begun.”
The eruption breached protective barriers near the town of Grindavik, leading to the evacuation of returning residents, many of whom had left their homes empty for over a year. Rikke Pedersen, head of the Nordic Volcanological Center, noted, “There is lava coming within the barrier at the moment, but it’s a very limited eruption so far.”
Emergency services acted swiftly, evacuating the nearby Blue Lagoon luxury spa ahead of the eruption, following warnings from geologists about its imminent likelihood. Pedersen compared the current outbreak to a similar eruption in January 2024 that also affected Grindavik.
Fortunately, the eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula have not directly impacted Reykjavik, nor have they caused significant ash dispersal into the atmosphere, allowing air travel to continue smoothly. Experts predict that these fissure eruptions, characterized by lava spilling from long cracks in the earth’s crust, could persist for decades or even centuries.
With a population of nearly 400,000, Iceland attracts thousands of tourists annually, drawn to its stunning landscapes of geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes. The island is situated atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, creating its unique geological features, including expansive black lava fields, glaciers, and vibrant green moss.
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