The Sundhnukur Crater's latest eruption is part of ongoing volcanic activity in Iceland, highlighting the need for monitoring and safety measures.
Icelandic Volcano Erupts Again: A 12th Eruption Offers No Immediate Danger
Icelandic Volcano Erupts Again: A 12th Eruption Offers No Immediate Danger
A recent volcanic eruption near Reykjavik raises concerns but poses no threat to local communities.
Iceland has witnessed its 12th volcanic eruption in just four years as the Sundhnukur Crater erupted early Wednesday, following a series of earthquakes in the region. The eruption drew clouds of gray smoke and released a minimal amount of lava, instigating evacuations in nearby locations. Gisli Olafsson, secretary general of the Icelandic Red Cross, assured the public that there was no risk to life or essential infrastructure from the eruption.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported that the magma breached the crater at 3:56 a.m. local time, about two hours after seismic activity rattled the area. The Sundhnukur crater is situated between Grindavik, approximately 25 miles southwest of Reykjavik, and the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa immediately north of the village. Following the seismic warnings, authorities preemptively evacuated both Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon. However, it's unclear whether the spa is closed, unlike the situation during an earlier eruption in April, with the management not immediately available for comment.
The meteoric office further detailed that the eruptive fissure spans around half a mile and the lava flow predominantly heads southeast, away from populated zones. Fortunately, no injuries or damages have been reported thus far. As for air traffic, southeasterly winds could potentially carry a gas cloud towards the main international airport, although the eruption had not disrupted flights by 6:30 a.m. local time, considering the airport lies about 20 miles northwest of Grindavik.
Historically, volcanic eruptions in Iceland used to occur every three to four years, but the recent activity at the Svartsengi volcanic system, which includes the Sundhnukur crater, indicates a worrying trend with twelve events recorded in the past four years.
Francesca Regalado is a journalist specializing in breaking news with a focus on scientific and natural events.
