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Volcano eruption near Reykjavik, Iceland: Spectacular view into the interior of the earth

2022-08-04T08:59:53.487Z


Lava spurts out of a fissure near Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. The embers column stretches over 300 meters in length.


Enlarge image

Volcanic eruption in Iceland (photo from 8/3/2022)

Photo: Marco Di Marco/AP

After less than a year of silence, lava is shooting out of the earth again in southwest Iceland.

In the course of a volcanic eruption near the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, a crack in the ground has formed again, which has been running through a valley of the Reykjanes Peninsula for about 300 meters since Wednesday.

The outbreak could keep Icelanders busy for a long time.

The volcano erupted early Wednesday afternoon (local time) near Mount Fagradalsfjall.

A series of earthquakes and underground magma movements had announced the eruption.

Live footage showed glowing red lava gushing out of an elongated fissure in the ground.

According to previous knowledge, there was no greater danger to people and the environment.

The Icelandic Meteorological Agency announced that in preparation for a risk assessment, scientists created a first model to predict the possible path of the lava flows.

It was still too early for precise forecasts.

Nevertheless, the model shows that it is unlikely that important infrastructure will be endangered by the outbreak, the authority said.

An eruption in the underground volcanic system of the Reykjanes Peninsula lasted from mid-March to September last year before being officially declared over in December after three months of standstill.

It is believed to be the longest eruption recorded in Iceland to date.

Although the area is only about 30 kilometers from Reykjavik, there was no danger to people and surrounding places at that time.

This time it seems to be similar: The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on Twitter that the risk for populated areas and critical infrastructure is considered very low.

There have also been no problems for air traffic, such as the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010.

If the lava flow continues and the situation remains spectacular but harmless, the eruption site could become a magnet for volcanologists, hikers and travelers, as it was last year.

Countless people made a pilgrimage to the area back then to experience the natural spectacle.

The weather agency initially advised against approaching the area because of the gas development on Wednesday evening – and Iceland's top police officer Vídir Reynisson also asked interested parties to wait a little longer before going to the lava.

jul/dpa

Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2022-08-04

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