A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland has erupted for the seventh time since December, spewing lava from a fissure. The eruption began suddenly at 11:14 p.m. on Wednesday, creating a fissure approximately 3 kilometers long. However, it was noted to be smaller in scale compared to the previous eruption in August, according to Iceland's meteorological office.
Professor Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, a geophysics expert, mentioned that this eruption is relatively smaller than previous ones. While the eruption does not pose a threat to air travel, authorities have cautioned about gas emissions affecting parts of the peninsula, including the town of Grindavík.
Grindavík, a town of 3,800 residents located about 50 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik, has faced challenges due to the repeated volcanic activity. Infrastructure damage and property loss have led to the relocation of many residents to ensure their safety. However, Magnús Tumi reassured that Grindavík is not in immediate danger, although precautions are being taken.
Approximately 50 houses were evacuated promptly following the alert issued by the Civil Protection agency. Guests at the renowned Blue Lagoon resort were also evacuated as a safety measure. Iceland, known for its volcanic activity due to its location above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions every four to five years on average.
The most disruptive eruption in recent memory was the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption, which caused widespread disruption to air travel, particularly affecting trans-Atlantic flights for an extended period.
