- Iceland volcano erupts
- Gas pollution risk
- Evacuations and precautions underway
As a volcano began erupting late Monday, the capital of Iceland may be exposed to gas pollution, according to the meteorological office of the country.
Following weeks of intense vibrations and earthquakes, the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland experienced an eruption.
Reykjavik might be exposed to fumes by Wednesday morning or Tuesday evening.
Approximately 4,000 individuals were forced to evacuate Grindavik, a fishing community in danger of a volcanic flow, last month.
A neighbor from Grindavik reported witnessing “horrifying” and “irrational” events on Monday night, and on Tuesday, she still had visions of the volcano erupting.
The odor of smoke and ash can be detected up to 30 kilometers away from the location of the eruption.
For weeks, Iceland has been preparing for volcanic activity. Seismic activity in the vicinity of Reykjavik has increased since the latter part of October.
It is possible to observe the eruption from Reykjavik, situated approximately 42 kilometres to the northeast of Grindavik.
An eyewitness in the capital saw smoke rising and half the town’s sky lit up crimson. The eruption was visible from that location.
On Tuesday, Amrit and Peter, a married couple in their twenties from Britain, took photographs against the backdrop of the brilliant orange lava.
Icelandic Volcano Eruption: Reactions and Precautions
Peter stated, “We have no cause for alarm; the Icelandic authorities are managing the situation competently and continue to provide us with updates. We are completely at ease.”
A volcanic eruption in 2010 resulted in the ascent of an ash plume into the atmosphere, which extended for several days and caused significant disruptions to aviation travel in Europe.
Volcanologist Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya stated that the level of disruption would be less severe than in 2010 due to the inability of these volcanoes in southwest Iceland to produce “the same ash clouds physically.”
Dr. Ilyinskaya, an associate professor of volcanology at Leeds University, stated from Iceland that locals had been “apprehensive and anticipating” the eruption of the volcano.
Authorities were preparing for potential lava flows that could destroy infrastructure and residences. This includes the Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist attraction, she added.
She stated that while it currently does not appear to be menacing, much remains to be seen.
On Tuesday at 12:30 GMT, the Icelandic Met Office reported that while the eruption’s intensity was diminishing, emissions could still reach Reykjavik.
Twenty kilometers from Grindavik, in Sandgeroi, Aoalheiour Halldorsdottir stated that she had witnessed the eruption from her residence.
“Beholding the sight struck me as irrational.” “Volcanic eruptions have occurred in the past, but this was the first time I felt truly terrified,” she explained.
“We’re used to volcanoes [erupting], but this was crazy.”
She reported that there was some “panic” on Monday evening and that she had purchased additional water supplies, but that by Tuesday, everything had returned to normal.
“I am currently at work and I can see it. She stated, “I can see the stars in the night sky.”
Hans Vera, who was evacuated from Grindavik a month ago, had planned to return home for Christmas before Monday’s eruption.
Icelandic Volcano Update
However, he stated: “I don’t see that in the future they will let people get close to Grindavik – so we are back in the waiting game.”
Bjarni Benediktsson, the foreign minister of Iceland, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that international flight corridors remain operational. Flights to and from Iceland are not affected.
He says the eruption starts with significant intensity due to the lava missiles’ height.
The volcano released lava in social media photos and videos within an hour of an earthquake swarm.
Individuals have been advised by the police to avoid the area.
The Met Office reported that the magma flowed at a rate of 100 to 200 cubic meters per second through a 3.5-kilometer-long fissure in the volcano, which was significantly faster than recent eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir of Iceland stated that the recently constructed defenses would be beneficial.
She expressed her condolences to the local community and her optimism for the best despite the “significant event.”
President Gudni Johannesson said that while lives were most important, structures would be protected.
