A volcanic eruption for the second time in less than a month in Iceland and the burning of 3 houses in Grindavik

2024-01-15 2024-01-15T21:00:16Z

Arabia Weather - After its second eruption in less than a month, and causing damage to several homes, the activity rate of the volcano located in the town of Grindavik in southwestern Iceland decreased. Flows of molten lava reached the outskirts of Grindavik, burning three houses, although residents had been evacuated earlier and there was no immediate danger to life.

Volcanic eruption for the second time in less than a month in Iceland

This is the second eruption to occur on the Reykjanes Peninsula in four weeks and the fifth since 2021, thrusting the region into the media spotlight, with images of orange lava fountains and burning homes in the town of Grindavík.

Geologists reported on Sunday that magma corridors are believed to be flowing beneath the abandoned town, posing an ongoing threat.

Grindavik is a town with a population of about 4,000 people

“Unfortunately, the lava has moved a little further south than we had hoped,” Feder Rennison, Iceland's head of civil protection and emergency management, said at a news conference late Sunday evening.

However, Rennison said defensive barriers built north of Grindavik helped divert lava flows to the west, away from the city, which is known as a fishing location.

Residents of Grindavik, a town that had a population of about 4,000 people before it was evacuated in November, expressed difficulty watching televised images of the fires.

"This is serious, it's basically as bad as it can get. Although it could get worse, who knows," evacuee John Gotti Daggartsson told Reuters.

The Icelandic government is scheduled to meet to decide on support for the people of Grindavik.

“We need to make a lot of extra efforts to find more housing and suitable housing,” Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said.

Located between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which are among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hotspot with the two plates moving in opposite directions.

The territory of Iceland contains 33 active volcanoes

The town of Grindavik in southwest Iceland saw a spike in seismic activity overnight Sunday, affecting fissures already in the area. The authorities responded quickly, accelerating the evacuation of the town.

Authorities are particularly monitoring the Svartsinghe geothermal power plant, which provides electricity and water to about 30,000 people in the region. This station is characterized by appropriate security provided by a firewall.

Kristin Jónsdóttir, a scientist at the Icelandic Meteorological Authority, explained the importance of monitoring the location of the lava flow, which has become central to monitoring.

It should be noted that the Reykjanes Peninsula was isolated from volcanic eruptions for eight centuries, before witnessing the volcanic eruption in March 2021.

Iceland contains 33 active volcanoes, the highest number in Europe.