A volcano had erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland, close to the capital Reykjavik, as a result of severe earthquake activity in the region, informed by Iceland’s Meteorological Office (IMO) on Monday, July 10.
Reportedly, the eruption occurred in an inhabited area which is why there is no “immediate” danger present. However, people have been advised to not venture around the region. The international Keflavik airport in Reykjavik also said on its website that the traffic was not affected.
Over 1,200 earthquakes have occurred in the uninhabited region also known as the Fagradalsfjall volcano over the past few days. Amazingly, in the space of just two years, this region has experienced three eruptions.
First, on March 19, 2021, in the Geldingadalur Valley which lasted for six months. The second one occurred on August 3, 2022, in the Meradalir Valley and lasted three weeks. The area had been quiescent for almost eight centuries before the 2021 eruption.
However, according to volcanologists, the recent increase in volcanic activity and the new cycle of heightened activity may last for several years, ushering in a new cycle of intensified volcanic occurrences. The eruption serves as a mesmerizing reminder of Iceland’s changing geology.
According to the IMO, there will be a buildup of “dangerously high levels of volcanic gases” and some of these gases will be carried north by the wind and may have an impact on a number of locations, including the capital of Iceland. Once the pollution subsides, authorities are planning to reopen access to the volcano, it was said.
The management office also issued a cautionary note to local hikers a few days ago, saying that the current seismic activity resembled the buildup to another volcanic explosion last year.
One of the most geologically active regions in the world, Iceland is home to approximately 600 hot springs and 30 volcano systems.
