GRINDAVIK, Iceland — A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted for the seventh time since December on Wednesday, blasting red streams of lava and causing the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to be evacuated.
The eruption began in the early afternoon, following a series of tremors north of Grindavik, a seaside town of 3,800 people nearly evacuated last December when the volcano erupted.
An Iceland Volcano Starts Erupting Again, Spewing Lava Into The Sky
Grindavik, located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, has been under threat since November, when a swarm of tremors forced an evacuation ahead of the initial Dec. 18 eruption. A second eruption destroyed some defense walls and numerous buildings.
The location is part of the Svartsengi volcanic system, which lay dormant for approximately 800 years until reawakening.
The volcano erupted again in February and March. The explosion on February 8 devoured a pipeline, shutting off heat and hot water for thousands of residents.
An Iceland Volcano Starts Erupting Again, Spewing Lava Into The Sky
The eruption began in the early afternoon, following a series of tremors north of Grindavik, a seaside town of 3,800 people nearly evacuated last December when the volcano erupted.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, lava sped 50 meters (165 feet) into the sky from a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) long fissure flowing toward Grindavik.
Grindavik, located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, has been under threat since November, when a swarm of tremors forced an evacuation ahead of the initial Dec. 18 eruption. A second eruption destroyed some defense walls and numerous buildings.
The location is part of the Svartsengi volcanic system, which lay dormant for approximately 800 years until reawakening.
The volcano erupted again in February and March. The explosion on February 8 devoured a pipeline, shutting off heat and hot water for thousands of residents.
An Iceland Volcano Starts Erupting Again, Spewing Lava Into The Sky
Iceland, located atop a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions regularly and is well-prepared to handle them. The most recent disruption was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which blasted massive ash clouds into the stratosphere and resulted in widespread airspace closures across Europe.
According to Guðjón Helgason, communications officer for airport operator ISAVIA, the recent eruption is unlikely to affect air travel.
SOURCE – (AP)
