Volcanic eruption in Southwest Iceland after earthquake

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

A volcanic eruption has occurred in southwest Iceland on the Reykjanes peninsula, north of the fishing town Grindavik. The eruption followed weeks of heightened seismic activity, with a series of small earthquakes indicating the region’s instability.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported the eruption beginning on Monday at around 10:17 pm GMT, shortly after an earthquake swarm. A Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to confirm the eruption’s exact location and size, while live-streamed footage displayed molten lava shooting into the night sky.

The Reykjanes peninsula had been on high alert due to the prolonged seismic activity, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents and the closure of popular sites such as the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. The meteorological office estimated the fissure from the eruption to be approximately 2.8 km long, significantly larger than the most recent eruption over the summer. Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir expressed concerns on Facebook, acknowledging the considerable nature of the eruption, while President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson emphasized the priority of protecting lives and infrastructure.

Despite fears of global travel disruption, Reykjavik’s international airport remained open. The operator, ISAVIA, reported no disruptions to arrivals or departures at Keflavik airport. The seismic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula had been ongoing since October, leading to the evacuation of around 4,000 people from Grindavik on Nov 11. Residents reported damage to roads and buildings from the continuous small earthquakes, with occasional visits permitted only during daylight hours.

Iceland, home to 33 active volcano systems, often experiences volcanic eruptions. However, the Reykjanes peninsula had not witnessed an eruption for eight centuries until 2021. Since then, three eruptions have occurred, signaling potential increased volcanic activity in the region. Volcanologists suggest this may mark the beginning of a new era of volcanic events in the area.

In 2010, the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland caused significant disruption to air travel, leading to the cancellation of around 100,000 flights and stranding more than 10 million travelers. Iceland’s unique geological position, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, makes it prone to volcanic activity as it sits on the boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The situation is being closely monitored by authorities, emphasizing the need to safeguard both lives and infrastructure during this natural event.

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