A volcanic eruption began on Wednesday August 3 about forty kilometers from the capital Reykjavik, announced Iceland Meteorological Institute, which monitors seismic activity. The latter estimated the length of the crack at around 300 meters, and lava is indeed erupting from it, as local media images show. The eruption had started in the Meradalir Valley, less than a kilometer from the 2021 eruption, not far from the Mount Fagradalsfjall.
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Onlookers moved about the area of the eruption, marveling at the sight of boiling lava and the sound of rumbling as magma erupted. Despite the absence of an ash cloud, the institute estimated “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.
Iceland’s National Airports Authority said no flights were affected by the volcano at this time, adding that it was monitoring the situation. “Consequently”. “The risk to populated areas and critical infrastructure is considered very low and there has been no disruption to flights”, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than an hour after the eruption began, a commercial flight could be seen flying low over the eruption site and heading for Keflavik, Reykjavik’s main airport.
Volcanic eruption has started in SW Iceland
Risk to populated areas & critical infrastructure is considered very low and there have been no disruptions to flights.
Follow @Vedurstofan for updates and check out this live stream from @mblfrettirhttps://t.co/ChoNxnR2Vp
— MFA Iceland (@MFAiceland) August 3, 2022
Mount Fagradalsfjall belongs to the Krysuvik volcanic system, located on the Reykjanes peninsula in southern Iceland. The country has 32 volcanic systems currently considered active, the largest number in Europe, and experiences an eruption every five years on average.
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.