Incredible Footage Shows New Volcanic Eruption in Iceland
Yet another volcanic eruption has rocked the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland, the fifth eruption recorded since late last year. The latest volcanic activity comes just on the heels of an eight-week eruption that began in December, as authorities had warned of magma accumulating underground.
“A new volcanic eruption has just started on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, making it the eighth eruption in this area since March 2021,” wrote climate reporter Nahel Belgherze, posting a breathtaking video of the volcano to social media on Wednesday. “This one comes only 20 days after the last eruption was officially declared over.”
JUST IN: A new volcanic eruption has just started on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, making it the eighth eruption in this area since March 2021. This one comes only 20 days after the last eruption was officially declared over. pic.twitter.com/xU50fgI1tk
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) May 29, 2024
In the short clip, the bright, fiery red lava could be shooting straight up from a gash across the earth, only about 30 miles southwest of the island nation’s capital city of Reykjavik. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the lava fountains have reached 50 meters, or about 164 feet high; with the length of the fissure measuring around 2.5 kilometres (about a mile and and a half) and still continuing to grow.
The Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik said on its website that the airport “is open and operating in the usual way,” but encouraged travelers to monitor their flight information.
Reuters reports that the latest eruption puts a spotlight on the continued challenges facing Iceland, which is home to nearly 400,00 people, with around 30,000 residents living on the Reykjanes peninsula alone. Scientists have warned that the area could see continued eruptions for decades to come, or possibly even centuries. Prior to 2021, the geological systems had laid dormant for 800 years before becoming active again.
Last year also saw a spike in volcanic activity at the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano in Reykjanes, as residents were evacuated and officials issued warnings to tourists to maintain a safe distance from the lava and dangerous toxic gasses spewing out of the fissure.
