Publicidad
The Icelandic volcano has erupted for the seventh time in a year, marking another significant event in the country’s tumultuous relationship with volcanic activity. The latest eruption occurred on Wednesday night near Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southwest region of the country.
According to the Icelandic Met Office, the fissure on the volcano is approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) in length. The eruption began soon after 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday, and by the next morning, the Met Office reported that the fissure had stopped expanding.
Despite the eruption, air traffic to and from Iceland remained unaffected on Thursday. Compared to the previous eruption in the same region on August 22, which featured a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) fissure opening, this recent event was considered smaller in scale.
The eruption prompted the evacuation of two hotels and a geothermal power facility located at the popular Blue Lagoon attraction. The Blue Lagoon has faced several closures over the past year due to volcanic activity, causing disruptions for visitors and businesses in the area.
In a series of aerial photographs capturing the scene, magma can be seen flowing from the Sundhnúkur volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavik. The surrounding fishing hamlet and visitors at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa were ordered to evacuate as a precautionary measure.
“This eruption occurred in the same location as the previous one in August earlier this year,” stated Snorri Valsson, a spokesperson for the Icelandic Tourist Board, in an interview with CNN. He reassured the public that the municipality of Grindavík was not at risk of being directly impacted by the volcanic flow.
Preparations were made ahead of the eruption, leading to the successful evacuation of the Svartsengi Power Plant, the two hotels at the Blue Lagoon, and the small number of individuals present in the area at the time. Fortunately, the Blue Lagoon was closed to the public during the eruption, preventing any visitors from being in harm’s way.
Since January 2020, the Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced a total of ten eruptions, highlighting the region’s high volcanic activity. Iceland, with a population of nearly 400,000, is known for its dynamic geological landscape and frequent seismic events. Sitting atop the tectonic boundary between Europe and North America, the country is constantly reshaped by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Last year alone, Iceland endured over 1,000 earthquakes in a single day, signifying the ongoing geological instability of the island nation. Residents and tourists alike have learned to adapt to these natural phenomena, with emergency protocols in place to ensure everyone’s safety during eruptions and other volcanic events.
As the seventh eruption of the year unfolded, Iceland once again demonstrated its resilience in the face of nature’s forces. The country’s geologists and disaster response teams remain vigilant in monitoring volcanic activity to protect lives and property, ensuring that Icelanders continue to coexist with their volatile environment in harmony.
