a volcanic eruption causes a fissure of almost 4 kilometers

In the Reykjanes Peninsula (Iceland), incandescent geysers of lava are projected up to 30 meters high. The fissure caused by the volcanic eruption extends for nearly 4 kilometers on Tuesday, December 19. Since Monday evening, the earth has been spewing 200 cubic meters of lava per second. If the scene is unreal for tourists, it worries the locals. After weeks of intense seismic activity, the volcanic eruption was triggered in an area south of the Icelandic capital, in the southwest of the country, three kilometers north of the town of 4,000 inhabitants of Grindavik ( Iceland).

A situation monitored by helicopter

The town is concerned about the direction of the lava flow and scientists are monitoring the situation minute by minute from a helicopter. “This is a large eruption and the lava flow can change very quickly”, indicates Vidir Reynisson, director of Civil Protection. According to the authorities, for the moment, there is no risk for the local population. The surrounding area was evacuated.