Iceland witnessed the eruption of a volcano for the fourth time since December, on March 16, as confirmed by the country’s meteorological office. The eruption, located on the Reykjanes peninsula, south of the capital Reykjavik, sent plumes of smoke and bright orange lava into the night sky, creating a stark contrast against the darkness, Swissinfo disclosed on March 17.
The eruption, captured in a video from a Coast Guard helicopter and aired on public broadcaster RUV, showed fountains of molten rock shooting from a long fissure in the ground, with lava rapidly spreading on both sides. The Icelandic Meteorological Office stated that the eruption began at 2023 GMT, with the fissure estimated to be about 2.9 kilometers long, similar in size to the previous eruption in February.
Authorities had been warning for weeks of an impending eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption site was identified between Hagafell and Stora-Skogfell, the same area as the previous outbreak in February.
Rikke Pedersen, head of the Nordic Volcanological Centre, noted that while the eruption was anticipated, the exact timing was unpredictable, with signs of activity emerging only 15 minutes before the eruption.
Despite the eruption, Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport remained operational for both departures and arrivals. However, the nearby Blue Lagoon luxury geothermal spa closed its doors, as it did during previous eruptions.
Lava flows were observed heading south towards the Grindavik fishing town, prompting the evacuation of its residents. Grindavik had previously been evacuated in January after an eruption destroyed several homes.
Icelandic police declared a state of emergency for the area, as volcanic outbreaks in the Reykjanes peninsula are known as fissure eruptions, which typically do not cause large explosions or significant ash dispersal into the atmosphere.
Scientists fear that the eruptions could persist for decades, leading Icelandic authorities to construct dykes to redirect lava flows away from residential areas and critical infrastructure. The February eruption disrupted district heating for over 20,000 people and caused extensive damage to roads and pipelines.
Situated between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity, making it a popular destination for volcano tourism.
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