Volcanic eruptions are a fascinating and complex natural phenomenon that scientists are constantly studying to better understand. Despite advancements in technology, predicting when and where an eruption will occur is still not an exact science. Researchers use a variety of techniques, including monitoring seismic activity and tracking the movements of magma, to determine the likelihood of an impending eruption by comparing it to past eruptions. However, nature can be unpredictable, and sometimes an eruption can occur without warning. Even if the risk of an eruption appears to be decreasing, there is always the possibility that a sudden and unexpected outburst of lava could occur.
That’s what just happened in Iceland.
Evacuation of Grindavik
A little over a month ago, the authorities in Iceland took the necessary precautionary measures to evacuate the residents of Grindavik after discovering a tunnel of magma that had extended beneath the town. Grindavik is a small coastal town situated on the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. This region is renowned for its geothermal activity and is home to the Keflavik International Airport and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa complex.
The situation was being monitored closely to determine if and when it would be safe to return to the area.
Crisis Averted?
On December 16th, the Icelandic Meteorological Office issued this advisory.
Updated 16 December at 14:00 UTC
At this stage it is too early to say if magma accumulation at Svartsengi has stopped and the inflation is over. The rate of deformation has decreased somewhat in recent days, but more data is needed to interpret the possible development of the activity in Svartsengi.
Scientists will continue to analyze the data in the coming days.
A new hazard map will be released on Wednesday December 20th, which will reflect the interpretation of the latest data.
On December 18th, the Blue Lagoon reopened to guests.
After several challenging weeks, we look forward to reopening our operations in Svartsengi. Our invaluable staff is excited to welcome guests back to Blue Lagoon Iceland and has been working tirelessly to ensure the guest experience will be both safe and joyful,” Helga Árnadóttir, the chief operator of sales, operations, and services at the Blue Lagoon Iceland, said in a statement provided to T+L.
Eruption
The reopening was shortlived, as at 10 PM local time, the volcano erupted.
At 22:17 this evening, a volcanic eruption began north of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption is located close to Sundhnúkagígar, about four kilometres northeast of Grindavík, and it can be seen on nearby web cameras. The eruption was preceded by an earthquake swarm that started at 21:00.
This current volcanic eruption is different from the previous ones in the area. In 2021, the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted in the same region. The eruption lasted for six months and attracted tourists who parked their vehicles in makeshift parking lots and followed marked trails. Even tours from nearby Reykjavík were organized for the visitors. Here’s a link to some stunning pictures of that eruption, taken by fellow blogger Andy Luten.
The current eruption isn’t like this, as it’s a fissure eruption. A fissure volcano, also known as a fissure vent or fissure eruption, is a type of volcano that erupts from a long crack or fissure in the earth’s crust instead of a single central vent or crater. These fissures can span several kilometers in length and produce lava flows that can also be several kilometers long.
This fissure is currently 4 kilometers long and is still expanding on both sides.
Needless to say, for most people, this isn’t an eruption that you’d want to visit. Stick to watching it on YouTube.
What Does This Mean For People Traveling
Although a volcanic eruption occurred near Keflavik International Airport, the impact on flights has been minimal, with only a few cancellations and delays. Icelanders are accustomed to such events, and things are proceeding as usual. Interestingly, during my visit to Iceland in 2021, I decided to purchase rental car insurance that included coverage for damage caused by volcanic ash.
In 2010, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused a massive ash cloud that disrupted air traffic for weeks, affecting millions of travelers worldwide. However, the current volcanic eruption is not causing the same problems, thanks to the different types of eruptions. Eyjafjallajokull was located under a glacier, and when it erupted, the heat melted the ice, creating a huge plume of ash that traveled high up into the atmosphere. This ash cloud posed a significant risk to air travel and led to the closure of airports across Europe. In contrast, the current eruption is a fissure eruption, which means that molten lava is flowing out of a crack in the earth’s surface. There was little moisture in the area, which reduced the amount of ash produced and minimized its impact on air traffic.
Should You Still Travel To Iceland
Currently, the Icelandic government is stating there’s no danger to travel to Iceland. Despite the area around Grindavik being closed, the rest of the peninsula, including all roads to the airport remains open. You can find up-to-date information from these websites.
- The Icelandic Tourist Board: https://www.visiticeland.com/
- The Icelandic Civil Protection Department: https://www.almannavarnir.is/english/
- The US Embassy in Iceland: https://is.usembassy.gov/
In addition, since there are no advisories against travel, most travel insurance policies will not provide coverage if you cancel your trip.
The area of the volcanic eruption is not near any major tourist attraction except for the Blue Lagoon. However, there are other hot springs in Iceland where you can take a thermal bath.
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