Volcanic Eruption Unleashes Chaos on Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland: Evacuations and Intense Scenes Unfold
After weeks of escalating seismic activity, a volcanic eruption has erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland, prompting the evacuation of approximately 4,000 residents from the nearby town of Grindavik. The eruption, which began north of Grindavik at precisely 22:17 local time on Monday, was confirmed by the Icelandic Met Office.
Witnesses near Grindavik described the night as “crazy” and “scary,” recounting explosive scenes from the volcanic activity. This event follows weeks of heightened anticipation, marked by an upsurge in earthquake activity in the region since late October.
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Visible from Reykjavik, approximately 42km away, the eruption has created a stunning yet ominous spectacle in the sky. The Icelandic Met Office reported a decrease in the eruption’s intensity on Tuesday but cautioned about lingering gases affecting Reykjavik in the coming days. Notably, the eruption has not impacted the Apple Watch SE or previously sold Apple Watches equipped with blood oxygen monitoring.
Bjarni Benediktsson, Iceland’s foreign minister, assured the public that flights remain unaffected, emphasizing that international flight corridors remain open. The eruption, characterized by a 3.5km crack in the volcano, prompted police warnings urging people to stay away from the area. Social media flooded with images and videos capturing lava bursting from the volcano just an hour after an earthquake swarm.
Volcanologist Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya provided insights, suggesting that the eruption is unlikely to cause the same disruptions as the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption due to physical differences between the volcanoes. Authorities are closely monitoring potential lava flows, which pose a threat to homes and infrastructure, including the renowned tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon.
Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and President Gudni Johannesson expressed concern for the local community, emphasizing the paramount importance of safeguarding lives and structures. Authorities are prepared for potential impacts, and the situation continues to evolve in this dynamic natural event.
🚨#BREAKING: Iceland Volcano has just Erupted Near the town of Grindavík After Months of powerful Earthquake Swarms
⁰📌#Grindavík | #Iceland
⁰After months of powerful earthquakes shaking the country’s southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, a volcano has just started to erupt,… pic.twitter.com/41lX889CTC— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) December 18, 2023