Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula is ablaze after a volcano erupted late Monday night, following weeks of heightened earthquake activity. The eruption, located roughly four kilometers north-east of the fishing town of Grindavik, began at 22:17 local time (22:17 GMT) and sent shockwaves through the region.
Evacuations and Warnings:
- Approximately 4,000 residents of Grindavik were evacuated earlier as a precaution, and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa remains closed.
- Police urge people to stay away from the erupting area due to potential dangers.
- Authorities are closely monitoring the lava flow and seismic activity, which is reportedly moving towards Grindavik.
Eruption Details:
- The Met Office estimates the crack in the volcano to be around 3.5 kilometers long, with lava flowing at a rapid rate of 100-200 cubic meters per second.
- Eyewitnesses describe the sky “lit up in red” and massive smoke plumes billowing from the site.
- The eruption is visible from Reykjavik, 42 kilometers away, highlighting its magnitude.
Officials React:
- Iceland’s Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, expressed solidarity with the affected community and acknowledged the “significant event.”
- President Gudni Johannesson emphasized the priority of safeguarding lives while protecting infrastructure.
- Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson confirmed that air travel remains unaffected, with no disruptions to Icelandic airspace.
Background:
- The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced increasing earthquake activity since late October, raising concerns about a potential eruption.
- In April 2010, the Eyjafjallajokull eruption caused widespread air travel disruptions due to ash clouds, serving as a reminder of the potential impact of Icelandic volcanoes.
Current Situation:
- No injuries have been reported as of early Tuesday morning.
- Authorities are urging people to stay informed and follow official instructions.
- The full extent of the eruption and its potential consequences are still being assessed.
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