A volcano in southern Iceland suddenly erupted on Saturday night, catching everyone off guard. This is the latest in a series of eruptions in the area, causing concern for local infrastructure and prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.
The eruption happened near the town of Grindavik, close to the Svartsengi Power Plant and the famous Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist spot. Lava fountains shot up from the ground, and a long fissure, nearly two miles long, opened up on the Reykjanes Peninsula around 8:30 p.m., according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
What's interesting is that the meteorological office had only received indications of a possible eruption about 40 minutes before it happened. They sent out their first warning just moments before the eruption began, highlighting the suddenness of the event.
Shortly after the eruption, the Blue Lagoon and Grindavik were evacuated. Grindavik, with a population of about 4,000, had few residents present at the time, but approximately 700 visitors were staying at the Blue Lagoon.
Reports from local news media indicated that lava had flowed over the main road leading to Grindavik around 1 a.m. and was moving towards the town and the power plant. Both locations have protective barriers to shield them from lava.
On Sunday morning, Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, a spokesperson for the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, warned of the biggest risk being to two pipes that carry hot water from the geothermal Svartsengi Power Plant to homes on the peninsula.
This eruption is likely the largest of the seven that have occurred across the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021, with four happening since December alone. Before these recent eruptions, the peninsula had been dormant for 800 years, adding to the significance of the event.
Meteorologists are concerned that if the lava continues flowing at the same rate, it could reach the North Atlantic. When lava comes into contact with water, it can create small explosions and release dangerous gases, underscoring the potential hazards posed by the ongoing eruption.
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