A view of lava after the volcanic eruption northeast of Grindavik, Iceland, on Dec. 19, 2023. (Photo Source: CBS News)
A volcanic eruption has occurred in southwestern Iceland, illuminating the evening sky with a burst of light and projecting semi-molten rock into the air. The eruption, which took place near the town of Grindavik, was approximately four kilometers away, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Grindavik had been evacuated in November due to heightened seismic activity, raising concerns of a potential eruption.
Iceland, situated above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions roughly every four to five years. The recent eruption, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik, the capital, is not anticipated to release significant amounts of ash into the atmosphere. The Icelandic Foreign Minister, Bjarne Benediktsson, reassured that flights to and from the country were not disrupted, and international flight corridors remained open.
A live feed of the eruption was broadcast by Icelandic broadcaster RUV, featuring the mesmerizing display against the backdrop of Christmas carols. By early Tuesday afternoon, the Icelandic Meteorological Office reported a reduction in the size of the volcanic eruption at Sundhnuksgígar, with the lava flow estimated to be a quarter of its initial volume. Lava fountains, reaching heights of up to 30 meters, were also diminishing.
Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir stated that, at present, critical infrastructure near the volcano was not at risk, and the lava flow was moving in a favorable direction. However, precautions were being taken near the Svartsengi power plant. The November evacuation of Grindavik, though it kept people away during the eruption, has left residents with mixed emotions, as many remain in temporary accommodations and may not return to their homes.
Ael Kermarec, a French tour guide in Iceland, expressed amazement at the spectacle but noted a bittersweet feeling, acknowledging the potential impact on the affected town. Scientist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, who observed the site from a coast guard research flight, estimated that twice as much lava had already erupted compared to the entire monthlong eruption on the peninsula over the summer. While the intensity of the eruption is expected to decrease, the duration remains uncertain.
Matthew Watson, a volcanoes and climate professor at the University of Bristol, urged tourists to heed travel advice due to potential hazards. He described the eruption as a remarkable natural phenomenon, with a fire curtain formed by violently ejected lava. Despite the temporary closure of the Blue Lagoon complex, tourists like Robert Donald Forrester III from the United States marveled at the spectacle, likening it to a scene from a movie.
