Iceland Volcano Erupts (Once more)

A  5.2-magnitude “earthquake swarm” and lava eruptions closed a well-liked 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 keeping with USGS knowledge. 

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 way of at the very least 3:00 pm native time on April 2, however may very well be prolonged because the scenario is evolving. The Blue Lagoon can be dwelling to The Retreat Spa, which gives 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 best volcanic preparedness measures.”

A volcano close to the earthquake website was elevated to “orange” degree 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 degree is one degree under crimson, the very best degree. For context, the remaining measured volcanoes are all inexperienced, or regular. 

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

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