Icelandic Volcano Erupts: Emergency Evacuations on Reykjanes Peninsula

• Icelandic volcano erupts, 4,000 evacuated.
• Grindavik eruption: 3.5km crack, rapid lava flow.
• Evacuations ongoing; no impact on international flights.

Reykjavik, Iceland – In the wake of escalating seismic activity, a volcanic eruption has rocked the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, prompting emergency evacuations and raising concerns among residents and authorities. The Icelandic Met Office confirmed that the eruption commenced north of the town of Grindavik at 22:17 local time.

Earlier this month, approximately 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik as a precautionary measure, and the renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was closed in anticipation of potential volcanic activity. The eruption, located approximately 4km northeast of Grindavik, is not anticipated to cause the same level of disruption as the 2010 event that led to the widespread halting of European air travel.

The seismic activity, intensifying since late October around the capital Reykjavik, culminated in the eruption, characterized by a lava flow rate ranging between 100 to 200 cubic meters per second. Social media has been flooded with images and videos capturing the spectacle of lava bursting from the volcano, a dramatic scene following an earthquake swarm detected in the region.

The glow from the eruption is visible even in Reykjavik, situated about 42km away, with eyewitnesses describing half of the sky in the direction of Grindavik as “lit up in red.” Police have issued stern warnings, urging people to stay away from the affected area due to potential dangers.

Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, reassured the public that there have been no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland, emphasizing that international flight corridors remain open. Volcanologist Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya, speaking from Iceland, stated that the eruption is not expected to generate ash clouds comparable to the 2010 event. However, authorities are bracing for potential lava flows that could pose a threat to homes and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir acknowledged the positive impact of recently constructed defenses, expressing hope for the best outcome despite the “significant event.” President Gudni Johannesson emphasized that safeguarding lives remains the top priority, with concerted efforts directed towards protecting structures from the impact of the eruption. As the situation unfolds, emergency response teams are on high alert, managing evacuations and monitoring the evolving volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

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