For the fourth time since December, an Icelandic volcano erupted on Saturday, and as of Monday, smoke and bright orange lava were still flying into the sky. Authorities guarantee that infrastructure and communities are safe for the time being despite the continuous eruption.
Building Up of Magma
Ever since the most recent eruption in February, magma has been building up below on the Reykjanes peninsula close to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. Authorities are concerned about this accumulation and have issued warnings of an impending eruption.
History of Volcanic Activity
Since 2021, when formerly dormant geological systems reactivated after around 800 years of dormancy, there have been seven eruptions in the Reykjanes peninsula.
Protection Measures
The construction of artificial barriers has been crucial in directing the lava away from vital infrastructure, such as the 4,000-person fishing village of Grindavik and the Svartsengi geothermal power plant.
Impact on routes and Transportation
On Monday, the lava continued to move southward toward another road leading into the town after flowing over one of the routes into Grindavik over the weekend. Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik is nevertheless fully operational in spite of these difficulties.
Environmental Concerns
Authorities are keeping an eye out for potentially dangerous gases released by the volcano, even though it is doubtful that the lava would reach the sea. Luckily, these gases are currently being dispersed by high winds, reducing the risk to residents close.
The Saturday eruption, which sent molten rock jets shooting out of a 3 km-long fissure, gave authorities barely 15 minutes’ notice before it started. The location and size of this eruption are very similar to the one that occurred in February.
In conclusion, authorities in Iceland are keeping a close eye on the effects of the volcano’s ongoing eruption and are implementing the required safety measures to protect locals and infrastructure.
You can also join our Facebook Community
You can also read about Snake Venom
You can also check out our YouTube channel