Photo: A volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, November 20, 2024.
A volcanic eruption has occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, with lava flowing out of a new fissure, the Associated Press reports.
The eruption, the seventh since December last year, began suddenly at 11:14 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20, creating a fissure about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) long. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, which monitors seismic activity, it was significantly smaller than the eruption in August.
“Overall, this eruption is slightly smaller than the previous one and the eruption in May.”, said geophysics professor Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson. He observed the eruption from the air with civil defense officials and spoke to national broadcaster RUV.
While the eruption does not pose a threat to air traffic, authorities have warned of gas emissions in parts of the peninsula, including the town of Grindavik.
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New volcanic eruption starts on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula
Multiple eruptions near Grindavik, a small town of 3,800 people about 50 kilometers from Reykjavik, have already caused damage to local infrastructure and buildings, forcing many residents to temporarily leave their homes.
“Grindavik is not in immediate danger and it is unlikely that the fissure will become even longer, although this cannot be completely ruled out,” Magnus Twomey said.
About 50 homes were evacuated after the civil defense agency sounded the alarm, as well as visitors to the famous Blue Lagoon resort, RUV reported.
Volcanic eruptions in Iceland occur on average once every four to five years. The last major and destructive event was the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010, when ash clouds disrupted transatlantic air traffic for several months.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga