OSLO – Reykjanes volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Monday, spewing lava and smoke into the air, after weeks of strong earthquake activity, the country’s Meteorological Office said.
Fearing a significant outbreak on the Reykjanes peninsula, authorities last month evacuated nearly 4,000 residents of the fishing town of Grindavik and closed the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
“Warning: An eruption has started north of Grindavik by Hagafell,” the Met Office said on its website.
Images and a live broadcast by Reuters showed molten rock spewing like a fountain from cracks in the ground, its bright yellow and orange colors against the dark night sky.
Icelandic police said they had increased their level of alert as a result of the outbreak and the country’s civil defense warned people not to approach the area while emergency personnel assessed the situation.
The Reykjanes volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Monday. Icelandic Meteorological Office authorities evacuated nearly 4,000 residents of the fishing town of Grindavik and closed the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa last month. AFP via Getty Images
A coastguard helicopter will be in the air soon to confirm the exact location and size of the eruption, the Met Office said.
Reykjavik international airport, which is nearby, remains open.
“Currently, there are no disruptions to arrivals or departures at Keflavík Airport,” he said on his website.
The Reykjanes peninsula in recent years has seen several outbreaks in uninhabited areas, but the latest outbreak could pose a risk to the town of Grindavik, authorities said.
“Warning: An eruption has started north of Grindavik by Hagafell,” the Met Office said on its website. Iceland Meteorological Office images and live broadcasts show molten rock spewing like a fountain from cracks in the ground, its bright yellow and orange colors contrasting against the dark night sky. Associated Press
The area has seen thousands of earthquakes in the past two months but the magnitude has decreased in recent weeks, leading some experts to think the risk of an eruption has decreased.
Reykjanes is a volcanic and seismic hotspot southwest of the capital Reykjavik. In March 2021, a fountain of lava erupted spectacularly from a fissure 500-750 meters (1,640-2,460 ft) deep in the ground in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
