A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday, spewing hot lava and smoke for the sixth time since December, the Met Office reported.
“The eruption has begun. Work is underway to determine the location of the recording,” the weather department said in a statement. However, no further details were given.
Livestreams from the area showed glowing hot lava erupting from the ground.
Studies have revealed that magma is accumulating underground, prompting warnings of new volcanic activity in the area south of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik.
The most recent eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, home to about 30,000 people, or roughly 8% of the country’s total population, ended June 22 after spewing fountains of molten rock for 24 days.
The eruption highlights the challenge facing the island nation of about 400,000, as scientists warn the Reykjanes Peninsula could face repeated eruptions for decades or centuries.
There have been nine eruptions on the peninsula so far in 2021, caused by the reactivation of geological systems that had been dormant for 800 years.
In response, authorities have constructed man-made barriers to divert lava flows away from critical infrastructure, including the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, the Blue Lagoon outdoor spa and the town of Grindavik.
Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport said on its web page that flights were not affected.
Grindavik, one of Iceland’s main fishing ports and home to about 4,000 people, has been largely deserted since late last year, when residents were first ordered to evacuate.
Volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula are so-called fissure eruptions, which usually do not disrupt air traffic, as they do not cause large explosions or significant dispersion of ash into the stratosphere.
Iceland, which is roughly the size of the US state of Kentucky, has more than 30 active volcanoes, making this northern European island a prime destination for volcano tourism – a niche that attracts thrill-seekers.
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