By Remarkably, despite its proximity to Keflavik Airport – Iceland’s international air traffic hub – previous eruptions in 2021 and 2022 did not cause any damage or disruptions to flights. As of now, the airport remains open.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported that this eruption was initially more explosive compared to the previous two. Aerial footage reveals streams of orange molten lava and clouds of gases emanating from a snaking fissure stretching about 900 meters (half a mile) in length.
However, it is essential to note that the eruption has resulted in high levels of gas pollution in the vicinity, posing a danger to anyone entering the area. Therefore, travelers are strongly advised against venturing into the region until conditions have been assessed by responders.
Small Eruption Provides Relief in Iceland
By Tuesday morning, scientists have reported that the fissure and the volume of the eruption in Iceland have significantly diminished. This comes as good news, as the eruption has become much smaller in scale than initially anticipated. Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, a geophysics professor from the University of Iceland, expressed his relief through an interview with national broadcaster RUV. According to him, while the eruption could persist for a considerable duration, it is unlikely to be as intense as the first few hours.
This particular area of Iceland had witnessed a remarkable volcanic eruption just last year in 2021. The event captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of people, who flocked to witness the mesmerizing lava flows over several months.
Iceland is located above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, leading to an average eruption occurrence every four to five years. Among the recent eruptions, the most disruptive was the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The massive release of ash into the atmosphere resulted in widespread airspace closures across Europe. Over 100,000 flights were grounded, leaving millions of international travelers stranded and causing days of halted air travel due to concerns regarding potential damage to aircraft engines caused by the ash.
The current smaller eruption brings a sigh of relief to both scientists and the people of Iceland, minimizing the potential disruptions caused by volcanic activities in the region.
Comments