Heavy Volcanic Eruption in Iceland Threatens the Town of Grindavik with Lava Fissure

A volcanic eruption is declared in Iceland, which appeared particularly heavy and threatening for the town of Grindavik. Find out the latest update.

Iceland eruption.
Heavy outflows of lava from the fissures seemed to threaten the town of Grindavik.

After an extensive period of earthquake activity, Iceland’s volcano has erupted with voluminous lava flows and a fissure length extending 4 kilometres (km). The eruption is located about 4 km east of Grindavik, between Sýlingarfell and Hagafell, having occurred 22:17 GMT last night.

Luckily, the lava seems to be heading to the north, where most of it should flow, but the south part, there seemed the possibility it will head to the town of Grindavik. The distance from its south end to the town is just under 3 km. If the lava barriers hold, the lava will head to the north where it cannot harm anyone.

Significant in Icelandic volcanic records

This is described as the largest eruption in the Reykjanes peninsula for several years, and among the strongest in Icelandic’s recent volcanic history. While Grindavik is threatened by the eruption’s lava flows, only time will tell if the barriers hold them off.

youtube video id=upxdopmXsBE

These flows have been called “hard to deal with” by a YouTuber on the Just Iceland channel who posted a video shared above, who adds “this could easily become a major disaster.”

But there is some reassuring news. The Coast Guard helicopter helped to confirm that the lava is not heading straight to the town, currently. Thankfully also, around 4000 people from the town were evacuated since 10 November, so there should not be any local residents there.

According to a recent online update: “The police commissioner in Suðurnes says that no one should be in any physical danger. The most significant risk from the eruption, as it stands, is if changes occur in the fissure.” But a state of Emergency state has been declared near the Mount Fagradalsfjall volcano, by Civil Defence in Iceland.

Monitoring the eruption for updates

Scientists are closely monitoring the situation. Currently, the lava seems to be well positioned and is not heading towards the town. Whether or not the fissure will continue to grow is uncertain, but volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson said the eruption is in the ideal location in an intricate sequence of fissures, suggesting that the fissure might stop extending. This would be good news, in addition to the statement that wind directions have been favourable according to meteorologist Einar Sveinbjörnsson.

The crack and fissures do pose a danger to the surrounding area, which is closed off to the public. While the length of the crack is several kilometres, it flows at a dangerous rate of around 100 to 200 cubic metres per second, according to the Icelandic Met Office.

Their latest post states that the intensity of the volcano is decreasing. But this does not mean that the eruption will stop soon, but that it is reaching a point of equilibrium (or balance). It is good news that the fissure is dying down for the town of Grindavik, and that flows do not appear to be going in that direction. However, constant monitoring will need to be made in case of any changes.