A volcano in southwestern Iceland, which has been erupting intermittently for over a year, erupted once again on Tuesday, spewing lava and smoke into the air. The eruption, which began at 9:45 a.m. local time, sent molten rock toward the town of Grindavik, triggering sirens and evacuations in the area. Though the eruption subsided by late afternoon, the volcano remained active, according to Iceland’s Met Office.
Authorities evacuated Grindavik and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa after a series of earthquakes earlier in the day indicated that an eruption was imminent. Grindavik, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, had already experienced mass evacuations in November 2023 when the volcano, which had been dormant for over 800 years, became active again.
On Tuesday, about 40 homes were evacuated, though some residents chose to remain despite the warnings. Police Commissioner Úlfar LúðvÃksson expressed frustration, urging residents to show more consideration for the safety efforts being made by civil defense teams.
This latest eruption marks the continuation of volcanic activity that has periodically disrupted life in the region. Iceland, positioned above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, is no stranger to such eruptions, with the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull having caused widespread ash clouds that severely impacted international air travel.
Source: Swifteradio.com
