Iceland Volcano Erupts (Once more)

A  5.2-magnitude “earthquake swarm” and lava eruptions closed a preferred Icelandic vacationer vacation spot and evacuated a number of communities across the nation’s Reykjanes Peninsula. The preliminary earthquake was adopted by subsequent quakes of 4.9 and 4.6 close to Grindavík and Vogar, respectively, in accordance with USGS information. 

On the time of publication, there aren’t any air journey impacts for Keflavik Airport (KEF), which is on the Reykjanes Peninsula and is lower than 30 miles from Grindavik.

The favored Blue Lagoon of Iceland in Grindavík is now closed for at the very least two days because of the emergency. The closure will proceed by means of at the very least 3:00 pm native time on April 2, however may very well be prolonged because the state of affairs is evolving. The Blue Lagoon can be dwelling to The Retreat Spa, which supplies therapies among the many geothermal springs close to the volcano. 

“Iceland is not any stranger to volcanic exercise and experiences a median volcanic occasion each 5 years,” Iceland’s Civil Safety and Emergency Administration shares on its web site. “Icelandic authorities and the general public are extremely ready for such occasions, and Iceland has one of many world’s only volcanic preparedness measures.”

A volcano close to the earthquake website was elevated to “orange” stage by the federal government’s Meteorological workplace. The tier represents volcanoes which have exhibited “heightened unrest with elevated chance of eruption or volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission.”

The orange stage is one stage under pink, the best stage. For context, the remaining measured volcanoes are all inexperienced, or regular. 

Icelandic volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson measured the best recorded stage of a magma chamber strain, as he shared with native newspaper Iceland Monitor. “I had anticipated a extra highly effective eruption firstly, however that is how Mom Nature works—she is in management, and it’s her present. Nevertheless, this might change at any second,” Þórðarson informed the publication.  

This volcano was reportedly dormant for 800 years earlier than awakening in 2023.