New volcanic eruption in Iceland.
The latest began Wednesday near Reykjavik, in a fissure that was spewing smoking lava near the site of Mount Fagradalsfjall, where a volcano had previously erupted in 2021. The eruption, located about 40 kilometers from the capital, reveals jets of molten lava turning into dark rock as the material cools and releasing a bluish smoke.
The Meteorological Institute of Iceland, which monitors seismic activity, estimated the length of the crack at around 300 meters.
The latter specified that the eruption began in the Meradalir Valley, less than a kilometer from the 2021 eruption. Onlookers moved to the area of the eruption, marveling at the sight of the boiling lava and the sound of rumbling as the magma gushes forth.
OFFICIAL the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland woke up today 🌋 🇮🇸 pic.twitter.com/cElZBtZ7ec
— SpaceScience🌟 (@SpaceScience_) August 3, 2022
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Despite the absence of an ash cloud, the institute considered "possible that pollution is detected due to gas emissions".
Gases emanating from volcanic eruptions, including sulfur dioxide, can rise in the immediate vicinity and pose a health hazard or even be fatal.
These types of pollution can also be carried by the wind.
10,000 tremors since Saturday
On Tuesday evening, the Meteorological Institute had announced that the probability of a new eruption near Mount Fagradalsfjall "in the coming days or weeks" was considered "substantial".
Since Saturday, nearly 10,000 tremors had been detected, including two with a magnitude greater than 5. Iceland's National Airports Authority said no flights were affected by the volcano at this time, adding that she was monitoring the situation “accordingly”.
More than an hour after the eruption began, a commercial flight could be seen flying low over the site of the eruption and heading for Keflavik, Reykjavik's main airport.
Very low risk for populated areas
“The risk to populated areas and critical infrastructure is considered very low and there has been no disruption to flights,” the Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.
Last year, Iceland experienced an eruption in a relatively easily accessible area, making the event a real tourist attraction.
The eruption, which saw more than 140 million cubic meters of magma pour out over a six-month period, attracted more than 430,000 visitors according to the Icelandic Tourist Board.
The eruption was officially declared over after nine months, in December 2021.
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