REYKJAVIK – A state of emergency has been declared in southern Iceland after another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula – the fourth since December.
The powerful and fast lava flows began late on Saturday – but flows have been “slow and steady” since Sunday morning, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) said.
Lava reached the eastern defenses around the small, mostly evacuated town of Grindavik.
The IMO said lava was 200 meters from the region’s water pipe.
The distribution pipe is close to the Svartsengi power plant, a geothermal plant that provides hot water for most of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The head of department at the Norwegian Meteorological agency said there could be “dangerous” consequences if lava reaches the sea as it flows southwards.
Quoted by the Iceland’s public broadcaster (RUV), Kristin Jonsdottir explained that “if lava, which is alkaline, comes into contact with sea water, chlorine fumes can be produced”.
Another concern, she warned, is that “minor explosions” could occur if lava becomes unstable as it interacts with seawater.
Activity around the fissure – initially 3km long – has dissipated.
The director of Iceland’s civil defense, Vídir Reynisson, said all that could be done to prepare for the flow of lava had been done, and the biggest concern was the impact on infrastructure.
Pools of lava gathering near defenses were also of concern, he added.
On Sunday he told reporters that it was possible that all roads to Grindavik would be closed.
The eruption began after 8:23 p.m. on Saturday, north of Grindavik, according to the country’s met office.
This is a similar location to the eruption that began on Dec. 8, 2023.
Footage of the explosion showed clouds of smoke and glowing magma oozing and bubbling from vents in the earth.
The explosion has not affected the main international airport, which lies to the north-west of Grindavik.
Geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, who was among those to fly over the affected areas in a helicopter, told local media that Saturday’s eruption was the most powerful so far.
Two lava streams have been moving west and south. Local media reported that lava from the latter had reached Grindavik’s eastern defense walls.
Gudmundsson said it was also possible lava could flow into the sea, but that this may not happen if the volcanic activity eases.
The IMO earlier said this lava bed was “significantly wider” than in February, when an earlier eruption caused lava to flow in a similar direction.
Many protective embankments have been built around both, the head of the Reykjavik-based Nordic Volcanological Centre, Rikke Pedersen, told Reuters.
There are concerns that fiber optic cables on the road could be damaged – causing disruption to phone and internet services. (BBC)
