A volcano erupted with little discover in southern Iceland on Saturday night time, the most recent in a string of eruptions within the space, threatening native infrastructure and main the authorities to declare a state of emergency.
Lava fountains burst out of the bottom, and an almost two-mile-long fissure opened up on the Reykjanes Peninsula round 8:30 p.m., the Icelandic Meteorological Workplace said. The eruption occurred close to the town of Grindavik, the Svartsengi Energy Plant and the Blue Lagoon, certainly one of Iceland’s most famous tourist attractions.
The meteorological workplace stated that it had obtained indications of a potential eruption solely about 40 minutes earlier than it occurred. The workplace despatched out its first warning moments earlier than the eruption started.
The Blue Lagoon and Grindavik have been evacuated shortly after the eruption, according to RUV, the nationwide broadcaster. Grindavik has a inhabitants of about 4,000, however few residents have been within the city on the time. About 700 guests have been staying on the Blue Lagoon.
Native information media reported that lava flowed over the principle street resulting in Grindavik round 1 a.m. and was heading towards the city and the ability plant. Each have defensive obstacles constructed round them to guard them from lava.
On Sunday morning, Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, a spokeswoman for the Division of Civil Safety and Emergency Administration, informed reporters that the largest threat was to 2 pipes that carried sizzling water from the geothermal Svartsengi Energy Plant to houses on the peninsula.
The eruption was most probably the largest of the seven which have occurred throughout the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021, together with 4 since December, the civil safety company stated in a statement. Earlier than that, the peninsula had laid dormant for 800 years.
Meteorologists have expressed considerations that if the lava continues on the similar fee, it might circulate into the North Atlantic. Contact between lava and water can create small explosions and harmful gases.