What we know so far about the volcanic eruption in Iceland

A volcano has erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland, spewing lava and smoke through a 4 km fissure. This comes after weeks of intense earthquake activity in the region and the evacuation of nearly 4,000 inhabitants last month from the neighboring fishing town of Grindavik.

“Large lava fountains were observed in the beginning of the eruption and intense seismicity over the dike. The power of the eruption has decreased with time as well as the seismicity and deformation,” according to Iceland’s Meteorological Office website. They had said gas pollution could also hit the capital city, following the volcanic eruption.

Located between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland is a seismic hot spot because the plates move in opposite directions. Volcanic eruptions are frequent in the island nation even though they often occur in the wilderness, away from populated areas.

Volcanologist Evgenia Ilyinskaya told the BBC that there would not be the same level of disruption as 2010, as these volcanoes in south-west Iceland were “physically not able to generate the same ash clouds”. She added that authorities were preparing for potential lava flows that could destroy homes and infrastructure.

The Blue Lagoon, a popular geothermal tourist destination, has also been largely closed since the seismic activity was detected. Iceland’s foreign minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, said on X that “there are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland, and international flight corridors remain open”.

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