A volcano in southwestern Iceland has erupted for the third time since December, painting the night sky with mesmerizing streams of lava. The eruption, which occurred early Thursday morning, forced the evacuation of the famous Blue Lagoon spa, a major tourist attraction in the country.
The volcanic activity began along a nearly two-mile fissure northeast of Mount Sundhnukur, as confirmed by the Icelandic Meteorological Office. This site is located about 2½ miles northeast of Grindavik, a small coastal town that had previously been evacuated during a prior eruption on December 18.
The good news is that the lava is flowing westward, posing no immediate threat to Grindavik or the nearby major power plant. Officials from the civil defense department have stated that they believe no one was present in the town during the eruption.
An eruption that captures the imagination, the stunning footage from Iceland’s coast guard shows fountains of lava jetting more than 165 feet high into the darkened skies. The volcano spews forth a plume of vapor rising about 1½ miles above the awe-inspiring spectacle.
This eruption marks the third occurrence since December in the volcanic system located on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. This region is home to Keflavik, the country’s primary airport, and several large towns. Fortunately, there were no reports of disruptions to airport operations on Thursday.
According to Dave McGarvie, a volcanologist with extensive experience in Iceland, this “gentle, effusive” eruption is highly unlikely to disrupt aviation due to its minimal ash production. This volcanic event contrasts with the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, which unleashed massive ash clouds resulting in widespread airspace closures over Europe.
While the previous eruptions lasted only a few days, they hint at what Icelandic President Gudni Th. Johannesson calls “a daunting period of upheaval” on the Reykjanes Peninsula, one of Iceland’s most densely populated regions. The fate of Grindavik remains uncertain, as volcanic activity has made the town uninhabitable for the foreseeable future.
In this time of unexpected reawakening, McGarvie emphasizes our evolving understanding of the area’s volcanic behavior, stating, “Eruptions could go on for decades, if not centuries, sporadically in this particular peninsula.”
As nature’s raw power continues to mesmerize and ignite our imagination, we can’t help but marvel at the fiery spectacle unfolding in Iceland—a reminder of the unpredictable, yet awe-inspiring forces that shape our planet.
For more captivating stories and news, visit F5mag.com.
Source link: NBC News