Volcanoes - Volcanic eruption in Iceland with huge lava fountains
The eruption near Grindavík does not exactly correspond to the usual image of a volcanic eruption - a huge crater from which lava gushes. Instead, a volcanic fissure stretches for miles to the north of the small Icelandic fishing village, from which high fountains of lava gush out in places. In other places, the spectacle - viewed from the air - resembles a glowing red river delta.
The volcanic eruption southwest of the Icelandic capital Reykjavík began late Monday evening. Over the course of the night, the long fissure formed, from which around 100 to 200 cubic meters of lava flowed per second.
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The eruption near Grindavík had been a long time coming. Earthquake swarms had been measured in the area since October. Such swarms have also heralded volcanic eruptions in the past. The inhabitants of Grindavík had to leave their homes. However, the seismic activity had recently decreased again. The residents were allowed back into their homes during the day, but were not allowed to stay overnight. The Blue Lagoon geothermal baths, which are extremely popular with tourists, also reopened at the weekend after being temporarily closed.
Many residents cannot celebrate Christmas at home
The mayor of Grindavík, Fannar Jónasson, told the radio station RÚV that the evacuated residents of the village were doing well under the circumstances. Fortunately, the craters closest to Grindavík have been extinguished. So there is no great danger to the village at the moment, said Jónasson. Nevertheless, many residents are disappointed that they cannot celebrate Christmas at home.
The volcanic eruption near Grindavík is the fourth in the past three years on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Just this summer, a fissure opened up in the area and lava spewed out of it. The natural spectacle attracted many onlookers.
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Hjördís Gudmundsdóttir from the Icelandic Civil Protection Authority called on Icelanders and tourists to stay away from the volcanic area during the current eruption. She said on Icelandic television that she could well understand that people wanted to see the natural spectacle. However, the volcano is large and very active compared to the last eruption. The police warned on Facebook of toxic gases that could escape in the volcanic area.
The strength of the eruption is diminishing somewhat
The volcanic eruption at Grindavík has now lost some of its intensity, as geoscientist Magnús Tumi Gudmundsson told broadcaster RÚV on Tuesday morning. However, a considerable amount of lava is still flowing. Gudmundsson explained on television that just a few hours after the eruption north of Grindavík began, about twice as much lava had escaped as during the most recent volcanic eruption this summer.
All roads to Grindavík were to be closed for the next few days - except for rescue personnel and scientists, the police announced on Facebook. According to the Icelandic government, air traffic to and from Iceland has not been affected. Keflavík Airport is still easy to reach.
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Source: www.stern.de
