Romain Rouillard / Photo credit: AEL KERMAREC / AFP 8:00 p.m., March 18, 2024

A new volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula has put Iceland on alert since Saturday.

The authorities are monitoring the progression of the lava, whose possible contact with the ocean could cause harmful consequences for the environment.

But the probability of witnessing such an event seems to be weakening. 

Iceland once again confronted with the convulsions of the Earth.

On Saturday evening, local police declared a state of emergency after a gush of lava occurred after the formation of a volcanic fault on the Reykjanes peninsula, in the southwest of the country.

The rise of magma, which initially caused simple sparks, quickly took on the appearance of a geyser with lava projections up to 200 meters high.

Enough to offer an impressive spectacle, but which is not completely without risk.

The authorities are carefully monitoring the progression of the lava towards the ocean.

Because the contact of the two, known by the scientific name "lava haze", can be quite harmful to the environment and ecosystems. 

© AFP PHOTO /HANDOUT/ICELANDIC COAST GUARD

“Toxic for plants, not good for animals either” 

“Contrary to popular belief, when you put water on lava, it does not extinguish it. On the contrary, it vaporizes and causes explosions,” explains Jacques-Marie Bardintzeff, volcanologist, professor emeritus at Paris-Saclay University.

The cloud of smoke thus caused can therefore be composed of pieces of rock, sometimes very small and very sharp - similar to shards of glass - which can then fall anywhere, depending on the direction of the wind.

>>

READ ALSO

- Italy: three new underwater volcanoes discovered near Sicily

“On the other hand, you have the mixture of volcanic gases and seawater which can generate toxic gases which can then condense to form acid rain,” adds the specialist.

A reaction made possible by the presence of sodium chloride in seawater which, once in contact with lava dust, forms these famous clouds of smoke, composed, among other things, of hydrochloric acid.

Enough to generate pollution, certainly local, but very real for ecosystems.

“It’s toxic for plants, it’s not good for animals either, especially herbivores who will eat polluted grass,” remarks Jacques-Marie Bardintzeff. 

“It’s not pure acid either” 

And for the man?

“It’s not pure acid either. If we get some on our hands and then wash them, we won’t be attacked,” tempers the volcanologist.

However, tingling and irritation may occur with prolonged exposure.

This acid rain falls regularly in Hawaii or Reunion, two territories known for their seismic activity.

premium bootstrap themes

For now, the lava continues to progress towards the ocean, but at a very slow rate of around 1km/h.

The scenario of contact with sea water cannot be completely ruled out, but experts consider it less and less likely.

The Icelandic Meteorological Institute (IMO) has even noted a decrease in seismic activity in recent hours.

The 4,000 inhabitants of the small town of Grindavík as well as the geothermal tourist site of the Blue Lagoon were still evacuated.