Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula Rocked by Volcanic Eruption, Threatening Local Town

On Sunday, Iceland witnessed a significant volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, following a series of over 200 earthquakes. The eruption occurred near Hagafell, north of Grindavik, around 8 a.m. local time, causing a massive fissure over 3,200 feet long to crack open. This geological event, which has been evolving in scale, marks the first time in more than four decades that lava has flowed into a residential area.

The eruption’s impact was heightened due to its proximity to the small fishing town of Grindavik, home to approximately 3,500 residents. This latest eruption comes just a month after a larger eruption posed threats to the town and a nearby power plant. Despite being smaller in scale, Sunday’s eruption caused more disruption as lava streams began encroaching on Grindavik, located about 30 miles southwest of the capital, Reykjavik.

The escalation began around 3 a.m. on Sunday, with the Icelandic Meteorological Office recording a series of seismic activities. A second, smaller fissure measuring about 492 feet opened on the town’s outskirts, where lava fountains were visibly erupting near residential areas. Webcam footage revealed smoke rising from at least one evacuated bungalow in Grindavik’s northernmost neighborhoods.

The response to the volcanic activity involved repeated evacuations, starting in November and again last month. With the latest eruption, the authorities ordered a complete evacuation, leaving only about 200 people in the town. Residents like Kjartan Adolfsson, temporarily residing in Reykjavík, expressed uncertainty about returning home soon.

Volcanologist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson advised that the lava flow might still slow down, potentially reducing the larger fissure’s damage. However, the situation remains unpredictable, with the fissure damaging barriers constructed to protect the town and the Svartsengi power plant. This geothermal facility, supplying hot water to the peninsula, was quickly secured by emergency workers.

Furthermore, the eruption neared the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, though no immediate danger was reported for the resort or the power plant. The eruption, forming a glowing, winding river of lava, occurred along a volcanic row on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Despite the eruption’s magnitude, air travel to and from Iceland, including at Keflavik International Airport, has not been disrupted.

The Reykjanes Peninsula, home to two-thirds of Iceland’s population, had experienced dormant volcanoes for about 800 years until 2021. Since then, four eruptions have occurred, with previous ones taking place in remote valleys without causing significant damage. Volcanologist Armann Hoskuldsson warned of a new volcanic era for the peninsula, predicting more seismic activity over the next decade. As experts like Hoskuldsson rush to the eruption site, the situation remains a concerning development for Iceland’s geological landscape and local communities.