Experts had predicted the occurrence of a volcanic eruption in the southwestern region of Iceland for several weeks, making the event on Monday evening expected. The area had been showing signs of activity for over two years and had experienced numerous small tremors in the weeks leading up to the eruption.

Here is an overview of the recent events and potential future outcomes:

At approximately 10:20 p.m. on Monday evening, a volcanic eruption began north of Grindavik – a small fishing community with a population of 3,400 on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The town is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, in the general vicinity of Fagradalsfjall volcano.

Initially, a sequence of minor tremors occurred. Afterwards, molten rock with a temperature of approximately 1,200 degrees Celsius (or 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit) started to flow out of a crack spanning four kilometers (equivalent to 2.5 miles).

The initial two hours of the eruption witnessed a flow of hundreds of cubic meters of lava per second, according to estimates by the Icelandic Meteorological Office. However, by Tuesday afternoon, the intensity of the activity had greatly decreased.

In brief, no – scientists predicted the eruption weeks in advance and in November, officials evacuated Grindavik due to thousands of minor earthquakes occurring in the region for over two weeks.

Researchers reported that their instruments indicated a pathway of magma, a partially melted type of rock, was expanding towards the city and could potentially reach the top layer very soon.

Last month, the popular tourist spot Blue Lagoon geothermal resort in Iceland was forced to temporarily close due to a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in the area. This was done as a precautionary measure.

In March of 2021, Fagradalsfjall, which had been inactive for approximately 6,000 years, suddenly became active again. This attracted hundreds of individuals to the Reykjanes Peninsula to witness the impressive lava flows that persisted for several months. The bright red glow from the lava was visible from the outskirts of the nearby capital.

Despite the Reykjanes Peninsula’s close proximity to Keflavik Airport, none of the recent eruptions have resulted in flight disruptions or damage.

Despite Monday’s eruption being more significant and stronger than previous ones, experts and researchers state that it is unlikely to affect air travel.

In 2010, there was a significant impact on global air travel due to the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. This event caused massive disruptions, with approximately 100,000 flights cancelled and millions of travelers unable to reach their destinations. Air travel was suspended for several days as authorities were worried that the ash particles could cause damage to aircraft engines.

According to experts, the location and characteristics of this volcanic eruption suggest that it will not result in a significant amount of ash or cause similar levels of disruption. AccuWeather, a weather forecasting company based in the United States, reported on Tuesday that there have been no sightings of an ash cloud thus far based on initial data.

According to Sam Mitchell, a volcanologist from the University of Bristol, the eruption on Monday is distinct from the one in 2010 at Eyjafjallajokull. During that time, a massive explosive eruption occurred under a glacier, resulting in a large cloud and fine ash being dispersed into the atmosphere. This was particularly concerning as the wind was blowing towards mainland Europe.

According to scientists, the current situation does not pose a danger of the lava reaching Grindavik town, the Blue Lagoon, or important structures such as a nearby power plant. The residents of the area have been relocated and most of the surrounding roads are still inaccessible.

“I am grateful that this is likely the most favorable result we could have anticipated,” stated Mitchell. He also mentioned that it was fortunate that authorities were given several weeks to prepare and have nearly completed constructing defensive barriers in the vicinity.

A larger and more urgent concern is the contamination caused by volcanic gas, which officials warn could be spotted in the Reykjavik region by Wednesday.

According to Mitchell, the majority of this substance consists of water, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. This can be quite unpleasant to inhabit, especially for those who suffer from respiratory issues or have asthma.

According to experts, it is currently too soon to determine the duration of the eruption or when people living nearby will be able to return to their homes. Some predict that the eruption may continue for a week to 10 days, while others suggest it could last for several months.

Iceland is a region on Earth that experiences frequent volcanic activity, with 32 sites currently active. On average, there is an eruption every four to five years, but since 2021, the frequency has intensified to about once every 12 months.

The nation is situated above a geologically active region where a hot spot exists and a significant fracture in the ocean floor, known as the mid-Atlantic ridge, is caused by the movement of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. As these plates diverge, molten rock emerges to fill the spaces, resulting in seismic events and volcanic eruptions.

One of the country’s largest active volcanoes is Katla, which is closely watched, because it lies under thick glacial ice, meaning that any eruption could melt the ice and trigger widespread flooding. Katla last erupted in 1918, and that eruption lasted almost a month, starving crops of sunlight and killing some livestock.

Source: wral.com