The Meteorological Office said that an Iceland volcano in the southwest erupted, spewing lava and smoke over a vast region after weeks of seismic activity.
Fearing a massive Reykjanes peninsula outbreak, authorities evacuated over 4,000 people from Grindavik, a fishing village, in November. A “seismic swarm” of nearly 1,000 earthquakes hit the town in a day.
On Monday, the Met Office warned on its website: “Warning: Eruption has started north of Grindavik by Hagafell.” Earth cracks affected the town soon after the eruption. It is 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik.
The Met Office reported a series of small tremors at 21:00 GMT before the eruption at 22:17 GMT.
Using the phrase “now we see the earth opening up,” Icelandic Prime Minister KatrÃn Jakobsdóttir sent her condolences to GrindavÃk inhabitants.
“As before, our thoughts are with the local people; we hope for the best, but it’s evident that this is quite a blast,” she added. Traffic laws must be followed, and emergency responders must have appropriate space.
RUV photographs and livestreams showed lava spewing from ground fissures.
The Met Office says, “Seismic activity and GPS device measurements indicate that the magma is moving to the south-west and the eruption may continue in the direction of Grindavik.”
It said the surface crack had grown swiftly to 2.1 miles (3.5 km).
Icelandic seismologist Kristin Jonsdottir told public radio RUV that 100 to 200 cubic metres (3,530 to 7,060 cubic feet) of lava appeared every second. Several times greater than previous eruptions in the region.
Emergency services advised the public not to enter the region while they examined the situation, and local police boosted their alert level due to the outbreak.
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The Reykjavik international airport remained open despite frequent arrival and departure delays.
On X, Iceland’s foreign minister, Bjarne Benediktsson, claimed “no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland, and international flight corridors remain open.”
The Reykjanes peninsula has had many eruptions in recent years, but authorities worry the latest explosion may threaten Grindavik.
Some stores reopened, and residents could return home between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day, but they couldn’t stay the night or walk about town.
They waited this week to learn if the evacuation orders would be lifted in time for Christmas. The region has had thousands of earthquakes in the last two months, although some scientists think an eruption is less likely due to a recent decrease in seismic magnitudes.
Lack of housing is forcing many community members to struggle, and some are frustrated they can’t sleep at home.
A GrindavÃk resident was threatened with arrest for breaking the law and staying home with his spouse for numerous nights.
The Blue Lagoon spa, a top tourist attraction, reopened on Sunday but closed on Monday night.
The volcanic and seismic hotspot southwest of Reykjavik is Reykjanes. In March 2021, a 500–750-metre (1,640–2,460-foot) crack in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system erupted, releasing lava fountains.
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