In Iceland a volcanic eruption has started on Tuesday, threating the already destroyed town Grindavik. The eruption started at 9:45 a.m. local time north of the protective barriers built to defend the town. The barriers, which previously deflected lava successfully, were breached, increasing fear for the population.
This is the eighth on the same volcanic rift since last year 2023, marking a continued string of seismic and lava flows along Iceland’s southwest peninsula. Even though Reykjavik, which is 40 kilometers (25 miles) away, remains unaffected, as well as air traffic at Keflavik International Airport which is expected to go on undisturbed, the eruption poses severe threats to the surrounding area.
The 800-year-old volcanic activity first made its appearance in the form of seismic tremors in 2020. Lava flows have continued to make appearances from ground fissures ever since, but with little ash formation. The current eruptions have taken a heavy toll on Grindavik, a prosperous fishing town. During past eruptions, lava has leveled three houses, but the town’s soil barriers have saved the majority of the remaining infrastructure.
Researchers observing the activity pointed out that the magma dyke beneath the Sundhnuksgigar Crater Row has expanded to 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) long, which is the longest measurement to date since November 2023. The magma volume in the region is also the largest recorded since the eruption cycle started.
While Grindavik’s other homes have been evacuated, critical infrastructure, such as the Svartsengi power station and surrounding tourist destinations like the Blue Lagoon, have managed to escape severe damage. The region’s geothermal energy industries and critical utilities, however, still struggle with repairs.
Iceland is still a hotbed of volcanic activity because it is situated along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.