Copenhagen: A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Wednesday, sending lava shooting more than 50 meters (164 feet) into the air. This marks the fifth eruption since December and the most powerful one since the volcanic system became active three years ago.
Authorities had warned of potential volcanic activity in the area just south of the capital, Reykjavik, as studies showed magma accumulating underground. The eruption began shortly after the end of an eight-week eruption between Hagafell and Stora-Skogfell on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Iceland’s Meteorological Office reported that the lava fountains reached up to 50 meters high, with the fissure stretching around 3.4 km (2.1 miles). “The first assessment of scientists is that this eruption is more powerful than previous ones,” the office said in a statement.
Despite the eruption, flights continued as usual at Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport.
This fiery display highlights the ongoing challenges for Iceland, a nation of almost 400,000 people. Scientists warn that the Reykjanes peninsula could experience repeated eruptions for decades or even centuries. Since 2021, the peninsula, home to around 30,000 people, has seen eight eruptions after geological systems dormant for 800 years became active again.
“It started as a very traditional fissure eruption with a lot of lava fountains and lava already spilling out,” said Ari Trausti Gudmundsson, an Icelandic geophysicist. “The fountain activity is usually most powerful in the beginning. It abates very slowly, and maybe in the next 24 hours, most of these lava fountains will slow,” he added, noting that the eruption could continue for days or weeks.
Volcanic activity in the area has disrupted district heating, closed key roads, and destroyed several homes in the Grindavik fishing town, where only a few residents have returned since an evacuation in late 2023.
To protect infrastructure, man-made barriers have been built to direct lava away from key sites, including the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, the Blue Lagoon spa, and Grindavik.
