Iceland Volcano: Evacuations Ordered After Seventh Recent Eruption
Key Facts
The eruption started at around 11:14 p.m. local time Wednesday, creating a fissure about 1.8 miles long near Grindavik—located about 30 miles from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik—on the Reyjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, Iceland’s meteorological office said Thursday.
There was little to no warning before the eruption began as seismic activity decreased “significantly” and only a few “minor” earthquakes had been recorded in the lead-up to the volcanic activity, the agency said.
Grindavik—a town of about 3,800 people—was evacuated, according to Iceland’s civil management and emergency department, which noted there was “no immediate danger” and evacuation orders were carried out “very smoothly.”
While Iceland’s meteorological office said the eruption was “significantly smaller” than the last eruption that began in August, geophysicist Freysteinn Sigmundsson told RUV, Iceland’s public broadcaster, that the eruption is not a “minor event” and could still “cause problems” if lava flows into an unexpected area.
Topline
A volcano near Iceland’s capital erupted late Wednesday, the seventh eruption since late last year and the 10th in the region since 2021, Icelandic officials said, causing a nearby town and a world-renowned geothermal spa to evacuate once again.
Key Facts
The eruption started at around 11:14 p.m. local time Wednesday, creating a fissure about 1.8 miles long near Grindavik—located about 30 miles from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik—on the Reyjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, Iceland’s meteorological office said Thursday.
There was little to no warning before the eruption began as seismic activity decreased “significantly” and only a few “minor” earthquakes had been recorded in the lead-up to the volcanic activity, the agency said.
Grindavik—a town of about 3,800 people—was evacuated, according to Iceland’s civil management and emergency department, which noted there was “no immediate danger” and evacuation orders were carried out “very smoothly.”
While Iceland’s meteorological office said the eruption was “significantly smaller” than the last eruption that began in August, geophysicist Freysteinn Sigmundsson told RUV, Iceland’s public broadcaster, that the eruption is not a “minor event” and could still “cause problems” if lava flows into an unexpected area.
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Surprising Fact
The popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Grindavik said Thursday it had evacuated and temporarily closed as a “precautionary measure.” Lava flow had reached Blue Lagoon’s parking lot and had engulfed one of the spa’s service buildings in flames, RUV reported.
Tangent
Icelandic officials warned about gas pollution from the eruption that could affect nearby towns. Sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas emitted during volcanic eruptions, can irritate the respiratory system, the eyes and skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iceland’s meteorological office warned the gas could be lethal at high enough concentrations for those with asthma.
Topline
A volcano near Iceland’s capital erupted late Wednesday, the seventh eruption since late last year and the 10th in the region since 2021, Icelandic officials said, causing a nearby town and a world-renowned geothermal spa to evacuate once again.
Key Facts
The eruption started at around 11:14 p.m. local time Wednesday, creating a fissure about 1.8 miles long near Grindavik—located about 30 miles from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik—on the Reyjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, Iceland’s meteorological office said Thursday.
There was little to no warning before the eruption began as seismic activity decreased “significantly” and only a few “minor” earthquakes had been recorded in the lead-up to the volcanic activity, the agency said.
Grindavik—a town of about 3,800 people—was evacuated, according to Iceland’s civil management and emergency department, which noted there was “no immediate danger” and evacuation orders were carried out “very smoothly.”
While Iceland’s meteorological office said the eruption was “significantly smaller” than the last eruption that began in August, geophysicist Freysteinn Sigmundsson told RUV, Iceland’s public broadcaster, that the eruption is not a “minor event” and could still “cause problems” if lava flows into an unexpected area.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Surprising Fact
The popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Grindavik said Thursday it had evacuated and temporarily closed as a “precautionary measure.” Lava flow had reached Blue Lagoon’s parking lot and had engulfed one of the spa’s service buildings in flames, RUV reported.
Tangent
Icelandic officials warned about gas pollution from the eruption that could affect nearby towns. Sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas emitted during volcanic eruptions, can irritate the respiratory system, the eyes and skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iceland’s meteorological office warned the gas could be lethal at high enough concentrations for those with asthma.
Key Background
Because of its position on the edge of a tectonic plate, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common in Iceland. Perlan, a Reykjavik-based natural history museum, estimates about 26,000 earthquakes occur each year on average, saying the events are “a fact of life” for Iceland. Wednesday’s eruption is the seventh for Iceland since December 2023, with additional eruptions in late August, February, March and May. May’s eruption persisted through late June, and December’s eruption began on the Reykjanes Peninsula after weeks of thousands of earthquakes. Iceland’s tourism has reportedly decreased during the period of increased eruptions.
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