Iceland's Volcano Erupts on Reykjanes Peninsula
Iceland, known for its breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders, has been thrust into the global spotlight once again as a volcano erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula. This event follows weeks of heightened seismic activity in the region, culminating in a spectacular display of nature's power.
The eruption, which commenced at 22:17 local time (22:17 GMT), forced the evacuation of approximately 4,000 residents from the fishing town of Grindavik. Adding to the impact, the renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in the vicinity had to be closed for safety reasons.
Situated about 4 km (2.5 miles) north-east of Grindavik, the eruption unfolded dramatically, with social media flooded with images and videos capturing lava spewing from the volcano shortly after a series of seismic events.
The glow from the eruption was visible even in the capital, Reykjavik, located 42 km (26 miles) away, painting half the sky in a fiery red hue.
Authorities swiftly responded by issuing warnings, urging people to stay away from the affected area. The Icelandic Met Office reported that the volcanic crack stretched approximately 3.5 km, with lava flowing at an unprecedented rate of 100 to 200 cubic meters per second – a stark contrast to previous eruptions in the Reykjanes peninsula.
Vidir Reynisson, a senior police officer at the Civil Defense, described the eruption as a “quite large event,” noting that lava seemed to be streaming in various directions from a significant crack in the volcano.
Despite the scale of the eruption, Iceland's foreign minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, assured the public that there were no disruptions to flights and that international flight corridors remained open.
Iceland's Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, expressed optimism, citing recent defensive measures that could mitigate the impact of the eruption. Her thoughts were with the affected community, acknowledging the gravity of the situation as a “significant event.” President Gudni Johannesson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that while preserving lives remained the top priority, efforts would be made to safeguard structures.
This eruption brings back memories of the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption in April 2010, which led to the largest closure of European airspace since World War Two due to an extensive ash cloud. While the current situation is being closely monitored, Icelanders and the world watch in awe as nature asserts its dominance on the enchanting Reykjanes peninsula.
Click for more updates and the latest world news, along with Web stories updates. Also, get the latest news and top headlines from India and around the world at Speed News
