Earth breathes fire again: It's been five weeks since the last volcanic eruption in Iceland, and now another eruption has been reported in the southwest of the country. Several hundred people were evacuated.
The volcano erupted for the fourth time in four months in the same area of Iceland. A bright red eruption near the coastal town of Grindavik was seen from the northeastern capital Reykjavík, photos showed on broadcaster RÚV's website.
The Blue Lagoon Thermal Spa, popular with tourists and located near Schlingerfell, had to be evacuated. About 700 people were brought to safety. A few residents who returned to Grindavik were taken back out of town to be on the safe side. They had to leave Grindavik after the last eruption five weeks ago. There is no danger to people at present, he said. Meanwhile, rescue workers warned tourists not to visit the area.
3.5 kilometer long fissure on Earth
Scientists tried to get an idea of the situation from the helicopter. The eruption was re-announced by strong seismic activity. Experts counted about 80 earthquakes. According to experts, the crack in the earth is 3.5 kilometers long. Geophysicist Magnus Tumi Kumundsson described the latest burst as the strongest to date in a RUV broadcast.
Grindavik is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, 55 kilometers southwest of Reykjavík. There have been four volcanic eruptions on the peninsula since mid-December, and in January lava covered three houses in the northern foothills of the town of 3,700 residents. The future of society is uncertain. The government has already tabled a draft law. It stipulates that residents can sell their residential property to a state-owned company.
With more than 30 active volcanic systems, Iceland is the largest and most active volcanic region in Europe. The island nation in the North Atlantic sits on the so-called Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which separates the Eurasian and North American plates.
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