A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Tuesday, placing the city of Glindavik in peril, prompting Common Blue Lagoon closure vacationer spot. It was the eleventh eruption since 2021 as Iceland faces an period of intense geological exercise.
Aerial video launched by authorities confirmed lava meandering alongside the bottom as white clouds grew to become large waves within the air following the eruption. Begins at 9:45am
Glindavik, a small fishing village about 25 miles southwest of the capital Reykjavik, has been threatened by eight of 11 eruptions in recent times. Additionally, city fireplace chief Einer Johnson mentioned in an interview, together with Tuesday.
Jonsson mentioned emergency warnings set emergency warnings on the town, with authorities visiting about 40 properties registered as occupation. He mentioned a number of residents first resisted, however officers declared the city by midday to be civilian empty.
Iceland’s Climate Service mentioned the crack had grown to about three-quarters of a mile by round 12:30pm. It appeared to develop south, the workplace mentioned, and Glindavik was on the street.
Many stay unsure.
Geophysicist Magnus Gudmunson mentioned he noticed a fountain of lava gushing by way of the cracks Tuesday morning, however mentioned it seems that lava would not attain Glindavik throughout the day. “I can solely say time,” he mentioned.
Iceland tried to make use of infrastructure to guard the city. Since 2023, the federal government has been attempting to construct a collection of protecting limitations comprised of small car-sized rocks and redirect lava from Glindavik and close by geothermal energy crops.
Nonetheless, that’s the solely barrier. Images shared by the Climate Bureau confirmed cracks by way of a train-like barrier that blew by way of a wall. Alongside the best way, he mentioned one other crack had opened between the barrier and the city.
For some residents, the confusion was simply too acquainted.
Thormar Omarson, who owns a pizzeria within the space, mentioned he was attempting to drive to work when he heard that an eruption was predicted on Tuesday. His enterprise is within the coronary heart of Grindavik, so he was unable to open it on Tuesday.
He as soon as lived in Grindavik, however after repeated evacuations he bought the home in August. He at present lives in close by Keflavik, close to the nation’s main worldwide airports. The flight mentioned it was not affected by the eruption..
“We’ve a fridge stuffed with meals,” Omerson mentioned he was nervous about his pizzeria. “I hope we are able to resume quickly.”
