WATCH: Volcano erupts after earthquake in Iceland, spewing lava
A volcano in Iceland erupted after months of tectonic activity and the evacuation of a nearby town.
In preparation for the long-awaited volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland this week, Thousands of residents The Reykjanes were expelled from a small fishing town on the peninsula.
More than 4,000 people The nearby fishing town of Grindavik, less than two miles from the blast site, was evacuated on November 10 after seismic activity was detected.
When did the volcano erupt?
The volcano erupted at 10:17pm local time on Monday night, spewing lava and creating a stunning sight. As of Tuesday morning, the length of the fissure had widened to 2.5 miles.
Local police announced that all roads leading to Grindavik were closed, except for first responders and other contractors working in the emergency zone. “We ask people not to go to the explosion and to remember that the gases from this are dangerous,” police wrote in a Facebook post in Icelandic.
The intensity of the eruption is decreasing as the eruption reaches “equilibrium”. Iceland Meteorological Office reported on Tuesday.
“The fact that activity is already declining is not an indication of how long the eruption will last, but rather that the eruption is reaching an equilibrium state,” the office wrote on its website.
Further: Iceland Volcano Erupts Following Earthquake: See Photos Here
A nearby spa attraction closes
The Blue Lagoon Spa, a geothermal spa and major attraction in the city, temporarily closed its facilities on Monday evening. The spa will remain closed until at least December 27 A post on its website.
Operators of the Svartsengi power plant, a geothermal power plant 2.5 miles from Grindavik, opened the plant due to volcanic eruptions and the declaration of an emergency. The power plant is unmanned and can be controlled remotely, according to HS Orca, the company that owns the plant. Posted on Facebook.
Will the explosion disrupt flights?
Keflavík Airport, 13 miles from Grindavik, was operating as usual on Tuesday morning, although 13 flights had been canceled since the previous day, the air traffic control service said. Flightradar24.
According to the Icelandic government, this is the fourth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in the past three years. On average, one volcano erupts in Iceland every five years, but starting in 2021, that number will increase to every 12 months, the government said.
“Iceland’s authorities are well prepared for the frequent seismic events that are a feature of our country’s natural geography.” Government report According to
