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Latest updates on the volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula, which began erupting on Monday (Dec. 18) north of the small fishing village of Grindavík following weeks of localised earthquakes and sinkholes.
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A volcano in Iceland is now erupt after week of earthquakes rocking the area , according to astatementreleased by the Iceland Met Office on Monday ( Dec. 18 ) .
The country has been bracing itself for animminent volcanic extravasation on the Reykjanes Peninsulafor workweek . Grindavík , a lowly fishing Ithiel Town in the southwest corner of the island with a population of around 2,800 people , had antecedently been evacuated in November after a sink evaluate 3.2 feet ( 1 meter ) deep look in the Ithiel Town .
Seismic action start increase in the area around the Fagradalsfjall volcano on Oct. 25 , when more than 1,000 earthquakes north of Grindavík come about in the place of just hours . Two stiff earthquakes , measure out magnitudes 3.9 and 4.5 , hit at a depth of around 3 mile ( 5 kilometers ) . Over the following two weeks , seismic bodily function continued , with hundreds of earthquakes and pick up recorded each day , indicating that magma was accumulating beneath the ground .
Timeline of result :
Cracks and sinkholes have formed in the Icelandic town of Grindavík
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‘Time’s finally up’: Impending Iceland eruption is part of centuries-long volcanic pulse
Iceland ’s potentially imminent eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula is part of a 1,000 - twelvemonth wheel of volcanic activity that will likely cause eruptions for 100 , scientist say .
" Time ’s finally up,“Edward W. Marshall , a researcher at the University of Iceland ’s Nordic Volcanological Center , told Live Science in an e-mail . " We can get ready for another few hundred year of eruptions on the Reykjanes . "
Seismic activity get increase in the south of the peninsula in October , with hundred ofearthquakesrecorded there each mean solar day . On Nov. 10 , authorities evacuated the town of Grindavík , with experts admonish an volcanic volcanic eruption could take place in just days .
The Svartsengi geothermal power plant is located very near to where the eruption may occur.
800 earthquakes recorded since midnight
Around 800 quake have been enter since midnight , Nov. 15 . Most run into at the center of the magma dike , accord to atranslated command from the IMO .
The continuing ground deformation is probably being because of magma menstruate into the dike , expert say
" Part of the magma dike seems to be solidifying , specially at the edges , but not at the magma inflow arena , which is conceive to be near Sundhnúk , " according to the statement . " The chance of an eruption is still considered in high spirits . In the consequence of an eructation , the most likely location is at the magma dike . "
Officials scramble to protect vital power plant from imminent lava flows
On Tuesday ( Nov. 14 ) , Icelandic federal agency bug out make makeshift defenses to protect the Svartsengi geothermic power plant life from lava flows that may issue if the magma butch erupts over the next few days , Reuters news delegacy reported .
The Svartsengi industrial plant uses heat energy from the underground magma in the region to heat water and turn turbine . It is located around 4 miles ( 6 km ) from Grindavík , which has been evacuated over fears of the imminent eruption , and supply superpower across the country , as well as hot water to the local area .
worker have begun jab out channels to divert the lava away from the plant if molten rock head in that direction .
Why is Iceland so volcanically active? A geologist explains.
Iceland ’s volcanic bodily function is generally meek compare with explosive outbreak along the Pacific ’s Ring of Fire . Jaime Toro , Professor of Geology at West Virginia University , explains what the main cause for volcanic activity in the region are , and what effect this has on eruption .
" The answer has two parts — one has to do with what geologist unimaginatively call a hotspot , and the other involves giant architectonic plates that arepulling asunder right beneath the island . "
What will the imminent volcanic eruption in Iceland really look like?
Experts have warn that an underground magma tunnel between a pair of Icelandic towns could break out at any moment . Butwhat will this eruption seem like ? And how far - touch will its essence be ?
Could scientists artificially trigger the eruption safely?
There have been no unexampled reports from the IMO since yesterday ( Nov. 15 ) of any further temblor or the likelihood of an eruption , and as such the situation remain unchanged .
But would it be potential to untimely trip the upcoming eruption by drilling into the magma dam beneath the surface , potentially aid to control where the lava flow out of the earth ? We asked an expert , who told us that it plausibly could n’t work .
" I am not certain that it is technically possible,“Benjamin Andrews , a geologist at the Smithsonian Institute ’s National Museum of Natural History and director of the institute ’s Global Volcanism Program , told Live Science .
If an eruption takes place, it is most likely to be north of Grindavík, near Hagafell, IMO representatives wrote in a statement.
The magma in the dyke is very viscous and would not be capable to course through a narrow-minded opening , Andrews said . So " a very large golf hole would require to be bored for the magma to feed through . " With magma attain temperaturesbetween 2,000 and 2,200 Fahrenheit(1,100 to 1,200 degrees Celsius ) , any drilling equipment would also probably be destroyed by the molten rock , he add .
Even if an eruption could be artificially trigger , this type of geoengineering solution is also " pregnant from a legal and ethical standpoint , " Andrews said .
Eruption still likely in next few days, experts say
An eruption is still potential to take place over the come day , experts have say . Kristín Jónsdóttir , program director for quake monitoring at the Icelandic Meteorological Office , order Iceland ’s national broadcasting service RÚV that the probability of an bang is not diminish and seismic activity is being monitored closely .
She say the only experience they have is the 2021 volcanic eruption of Fagradalsfjall . In this event , tens of yard of earthquake were show in the week guide up to the eruption .
According to anupdated statement from the IMO , 2,000 earthquake have been recorded in the area in the last 24 hr . Ground contortion is on-going , although its rate is retard . If an eruption does take place , it is most likely to be northward of Grindavík , near Hagafell .
Map showing the magma dike and the areas that could be impacted if a volcanic eruption takes place, including the Svartsengi power plant, the Blue Lagoon and the town of Grindavík.
" There is still a high probability of a volcanic eructation , " representatives wrote .
Lava could reach the Blue Lagoon and Svartsengi power plant in days
If the magma dike beneath Iceland ’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupts , lava flows could chop-chop touch the Blue Lagoon resort and the Svartsengi geothermal power plant .
Magma is currently estimated to be 2,600 to 1,640 feet ( 800 to 500 K ) below the airfoil and the pace of influx to the dike is likely unceasing , meaning the hazard of eruption is still very high .
" If magma influx continues at a constant rate for an protracted period , I imagine the dike will grow and reach the surface in the come days or weeks,“Alberto Caracciolo , a researcher at the University of Iceland ’s Institute of Earth Sciences , told Live Science in an electronic mail .
Map showing the zones at risk from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
" The extent of lava flows will vary depending on the specific fix where the fissure opens , on the magma production rate and on the duration of the eruption , " he said . " However , in most of the scenario , lava could achieve the power plant and the Blue Lagoon very quickly , in less than [ a ] few Day . A similar lot is likely expected for Grindavík , particularly if the fissure open up up in the southernmost part of Hagafell . "
Iceland volcano could explode like a ‘ fizzy drink ’ , with lava reaching Blue Lagoon refuge in twenty-four hours
Land at Svartsengi power plant rising at a faster rate
Thorvaldur Thordarson , a volcanologist at the University of Iceland , has enjoin the rate of uplift around the Svartsengi power plant , which feeds the nearby Blue Lagoon spa resort , is now faster than it was before Nov. 10 , when a magma dyke formed beneath the ground in the south of Reykjanes Peninsula .
" This goes deal in hand as the magma is creating space and lifting the surface of the globe up , " he recount theIceland Monitor , grant to a displacement .
Thordason told Iceland ’s subject broadcasterRUVthat the land around Svartsengi initially fell around 15 inches ( 40 centimetre ) , but it is now almost back to its previous layer . " When it attain a like level as it touch before November 10 , you’re able to expect something to happen , " he said , according to a translation .
Freysteinn Sigmundsson , a geophysicist at the University of Iceland , said the most likely explanation for the uplift was magma flowing into the region . Hetold the Iceland Monitorthat what occur next depends on how much the magma moves and how fast , adding that the sequence of events learn shoes is similar to what happened before the bam ofFagradalsfjall in 2021 — except in this issue the magma was much deep .
" Then I think an eruption over the current magma burrow is the most probable scenario . "
According to RUV , 460 earthquake have been immortalise at the magma dike since midnight .
A sinkhole in the town of Grindavík that appeared on Nov. 18, 10 days after the town was evacuated.
Danger zone from impending eruption has expanded
A fresh map showing the areas experts think are at greatest risk from the impending volcanic irruption has been released by representatives with the IMO .
In atranslated statement , they wrote that new satellite images showing Svartsengi and the magma dike mean the " danger zona has been expanded . "
The zones at greatest risk include Hagafell , which is about halfway along the 9.3 mile ( 15 kilometer ) magma dike , to the northwestern United States of Grindavík . This area is considered to be the most likely place for an eruption to occur . Grindavík is placed in the red zone , which means there is a jeopardy of a fissure spread out at short notice and secrete lava , but the peril is smaller than in the purple zone .
Local residents were able to watch smoke billow out from the eruption just north of Grindavík as lava colored the night sky orange.
Svartsengi in the north is at risk of experience earthquakes .
Weather to impact monitoring
Earthquake activity along the magma dike appears to have drop slightly compare with late days . However , this may be the result of strong flatus impacting the sensitivity of seismic musical instrument , making it unmanageable to discover the belittled earthquakesaccording to the IMO .
" The effectuality of this monitoring count on the safe sensitivity of seismal and real - time Global Positioning System measurements , but the sensitivity is highly dependent on conditions condition , " IMO representatives write in a translate assertion . Strong twist and rain are ask for the next two days , meaning real - sentence monitoring will be reduced .
Experts " will proceed to supervise the surface area as well as possible and incessantly reevaluate and read the data that is received . "
An Icelandic hazard assessment map posted on Dec. 8 showing what is now the central zone of the erupting volcano fissure (in orange). (Image credit: IMO)
What are the signs an eruption is just about to happen?
What will happen just before a chap appears at the surface is presently undecipherable — although the presence of gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide would designate magma is faithful to the surface . increase seismal activity could also indicate deepen activity beneath the terra firma .
" Another sudden increase in magnitude and telephone number of earthquakes would be a sorry sign,“Jaime Toro , professor of geology at the West Virginia University , evidence Live Science in an electronic mail . " Also , continuing land distortion , increment of Earth’s surface heat menses , gas emissions . In other words , the things that are encounter . "
Ármann Höskuldsson , a volcanologist with the University of Iceland ’s Nordic Volcanological Center , tell Live Science in an email that low - frequency earthquake would be a telling sign , as it would suggest CO2 has started to escape the magma .
A satellite image acquired in the early hours of Tuesday (Dec. 19) shows the new eruptive fissure (yellow line) and lava flow (colored area).
quake activeness is also associated with the motion of magma . However , before the eruptions at the nearby Fagradalsfjall vent , seismic activity appeared to drop off before a fissure appeared . " There was a silent blot before magma reach out the Earth’s surface and erupted,“Dave McGarvie , a volcanologist at Lancaster University in the U.K. , who meditate Iceland ’s volcanoes , tell Live Science in an email .
Whether this would bechance again is unknown , however .
McGarvie also said the bearing of gun would belike be a precursor to an eruption . " If there was an extensive accelerator pedal monitoring internet then one sign would be a noticeable leak of magmatic sulfur dioxide from a specific arena , as this would indicate magma rising to the airfoil and so this could be a site for a potential eruption , " he said .
The eruption in Iceland began on Dec. 18 after weeks of unrest.
Live stream shows earthquake activity at center of danger zone
unrecorded data point from a seismal monitoring station near Hagafell — the spot experts think the volcanic irruption is most potential to take station — is exhibit current earthquake activity , which may designate if magma is moving closer to the surface for an bam to take place .
It is just a modest sample of the 10 of M of earthquakes that have occurred along a stretch of the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent weeks .
The feed , from the University of Cambridge Volcano Seismology Group , shows earthquakes being recorded at the Melhóll seismal station , which sits almost flat above the magma butch . wave show the three axis of the seismograph : up / down , Second Earl of Guilford / south and east / west motions .
People view the volcano in south west Iceland, which has erupted after weeks of intense earthquake activity.
While an eruption could take topographic point anywhere along the dike , the most likely touch for an eruption look to be around Hagafell , about 1.2 sea mile ( 2 km ) Second Earl of Guilford west of Grindavík , according to the IMO .
‘It may take more time’: Risk of eruption from Iceland volcano still high, with ground ‘continuing to swell’
The hazard of a volcanic clap on Iceland ’s Reykjanes Peninsula is still very high , with ground deformation and earthquake continuing along the magma dam — a virtually - vertical surreptitious tunnel running from a magma chamber towards Earth ’s open .
In an interview with mbl.isthe same day , Benedikt Gunnar Ófeigsson , headspring of deformation measuring at the IMO , say the risk of volcanic eruption may slowly be minify . " If we seem at the experimental condition in the magma tunnel , maybe the chance of eruption is slowly decreasing , " he said . " But it is far too early to find out that possibleness . "
bodily process at the magma system would need to terminate for the eruption risk of infection to be lowered . And this is not the case .
The town of Grindavík, pictured here, is around 1.8 miles from the erupting volcano.
" I do n’t mean that the risk of an eruption is starting to fall,“Bill McGuire , emeritus prof of Earth scientific discipline at University College London in the U.K , tell Live Science in an email . " In fact , GPS information show that the ground Earth’s surface in the vicinity of the fracture is stay on to swell , which is likely because of the keep emplacement of magma at shallow deepness . In addition , 100 of earth tremors are still happening every day . "
Edward W. Marshall , a researcher at the University of Iceland ’s Nordic Volcanological Center , also say the risk of outbreak is still high . " In Grindavík now , it is less than two workweek since dike shot , " Marshall told Live Science in an e-mail . " So it may take more prison term . The point is that the soonest potential scenario that an eruption would be indicate ' unlikely ' is in a workweek or two . But I think this episode will more in all likelihood go on longer . "
Icelandic authorities consider pumping water to control lava flow in case of eruption
Icelandic authorization have announced they are considering plans to pump water onto the lava in the outcome of avolcanic clap on the country ’s southerly Reykjanes Peninsula . This could aid chill down the lava catamenia and control its forecasted spread towards the townspeople of Grindavík , which was evacuated on Nov. 10 . The method acting could also help in protect of import infrastructure at risk from the imminent extravasation , representativestold Agence France - Presse ( AFP ) .
" An assessment technical team will arrive in Iceland tonight or tomorrow cockcrow and they will help us in tax the possibilities,“Víðir Reynisson , Iceland ’s head of civil aegis and emergency management , told AFP on Wednesday ( Nov. 22 ) .
A high volume water system pump was successfully used in 1973 to manage the spread of lava that erupt from a fissure on the island of Heimaey , off the southerly coast of Iceland .
Current hazard map showing the areas at risk from the Iceland volcano (in Icelandic)
" This dam has been slowly expanding in the last week but has not reached the Earth’s surface yet,“Pȧll Einarsson , an emeritus professor of geophysical science at the University of Iceland , state Live Science in an e-mail . " It is by no means sure that it will result in an eruption , but the possible action must be take , in fussy because the dyke lies underneath the Ithiel Town of Grindavík . "
few earthquake have been register in recent Day compared to when the risk of exposure of an eruption was first denote , fit in to the Icelandic Meteorological Office(IMO ) . But " weather and wave proceed to pretend the sensitiveness of the system to detect the smallest seism , " IMO congressman indite in the translated statement on Wednesday . " As contortion , seismic activity , and inflow into the magma burrow continue to decrease , the likelihood of an extravasation decreases over time . "
The likelihood of a sudden eruption within the town terminus ad quem of Grindavík is now considered low , they add together . It is undecipherable when occupant will be allowed to return .
Risk of eruption appears to be decreasing
The risk of a volcanic eruption on Iceland ’s Reykjanes Peninsula now seems to be fall , according to the IMO . In atranslated statement , representatives write that seismal activity in the part has bear on to decrease since Nov. 20 . And while land deformation is still being immortalise around the Svartsengi power plant , it is slowing . The inflow of magma to the dike is also diminish .
Since midnight on Friday ( Nov. 24 ) , around 300 temblor have been recorded near the magma dike , with most smaller than order of magnitude 1 .
The free fall in seismic activity , magma inflow and ground deformation means the likelihood of an eruption is decreasing , representatives wrote .
" If magma influx into the dyke stoppage or reduces significantly , the dike will easy cool down , crystallize and solidify at depth,“Alberto Caracciolo , a research worker at the University of Iceland ’s Institute of Earth Sciences , told Live Science in an email . " A dike with no inflow of reinvigorated magma would solidify in a few days . It is possible that the dike is presently slowly solidifying , hence the [ little ] number of seism . "
Iceland volcano erupts as thousands of people evacuate
TheIceland volcano is now eruptingafter week of earthquakes sway the region , according to astatementreleased by the Iceland Met Office on Monday ( Dec. 18 ) .
The outbreak is happening on the country ’s southwest Reykjanes peninsula . About 4,000 hoi polloi were void from Grindavik , a fishing Ithiel Town village on the peninsula , and authorities also close down the townsfolk ’s Blue Lagoon geothermic spa , according toReuters .
" An eruption has depart north of Grindavík , " agree to the Met Office ’s statement . " It can be seen on webcam and seems to be located close to Hagafell , about 3 km [ 1.8 mi ] north of Grindavík . The eruption begin at 22.17 [ 5:17 p.m. EST Eastern Time ] following the earthquake swarm that started around 21 . "
Volcano opens up fissure that stretches 2.5 miles
The volcano erupting on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland has opened a 2.5 - mi - longsighted ( 4 kilometers ) fissure , official say .
The northerly close of the fissure is locate just east of Stóra - Skógfell and its southern tip extends to a spot just east of Sundhnúk , which sits less than 2 miles away from Grindavík , the Icelandic Met Office ( IMO ) said in a translatedstatementon Tuesday ( Dec. 19 ) .
" The business leader of the eruption that started about four hours ago seems to be decrease , " IMO instance write in the statement . " The fact that the body process is already reducing is not an indication of how long the eruption will last , but rather that the volcanic eruption is reaching equilibrium . This tendency has been seen at the first of all the clap on the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent years . "
Volcanic fissure has now stabilized
The seism have now died down , suggesting the fissure has stabilized with a " curtain " of magma erupting from it .
" The eruption rate is likely to be in the realm of a few hundred three-dimensional metres of lava per second — enough to fill an Olympic swim kitty in about 20 seconds,“David Pyle , a prof of Earth sciences at the University of Oxford in the U.K. , told Live Science in an e-mail . " The length of the fissure may be an indication of how much magma had been capable to roll up in the crust over the past few week . "
It ’s probable the bam will stay on for some days , Pyle said .
Eruption diminishes as fissure contracts
The size of the eruption on Iceland ’s Reykjanes peninsula continues to diminish , with little activeness recorded at the southerly ending of the newly open fissure .
" The lava menstruum is gauge to be about one - quarter of what it was at the first of the eruption on 18 December , and a third of the original fissure is alive , " IMO representatives said in astatement . A curtain of lava erupting from the 2.5 - mi - long fissure has also decreased in size of it compare to its peak height of 100 animal foot ( 30 meters ) at the start of the bang , the statement said .
Less than 24 hours have gone by since the start of the clap , but the fissure may already be contracting to form individual vents . Five such vents have been name , representatives said , with lava in the main flow east toward Fagradalsfjall . The direction of the lava flow rate is evince in the map above , which is establish on orbiter image call for in the former hours of Tuesday .
Breathtaking photos show wall of lava
The seismal activity on Iceland ’s Reykjanes Peninsula eventually erupted in spectacular fashion on Monday ( Dec. 18 ) , when a fissure stretching 2.5 miles ( 4 kilometers ) appeared at the surface and disgorge a paries of lava up to 100 foot ( 30 meters ) gamy in some place .
The initial eruption go out Brobdingnagian quantity of liquified rock-and-roll unfreeze into the surrounding landscape , with shades of orange and ruby filling the skies while beam lava creep across the rough landscape . These have been conquer in incredible photos lead since the vent erupted , a excerpt of which can be seen below .
For more , check out our picture gallery featuring even morepictures of the Iceland vent .
“Tongue of lava” is flowing to the west
The irruption at Sundhnúkagígar is on-going , with lava regurgitate from two of the original five craters that emerged Monday , according to atranslated statementfrom the IMO on Wednesday . The most combat-ready of these two is the southernmost volcanic crater .
As well as flowing to the east , a " tongue of lava " is also flowing to the west . In total , the lava bed that has organize hide an sphere of 1.4 square miles ( 3.7 hearty kilometers ) . Over the last 24 hours , 80 small quake have been recorded — a significant fall compared to the days and hebdomad leading up to the volcanic eruption .
A new hazard map released by the IMO on Tuesday ( Dec. 19 ) testify the part at risk from the lava run from a volcanic fissure that come along Monday ( Dec. 18 ) . The irruption , which began at Sundhnúksgígar at 10:17 p.m. local time , survey an intense earthquake swarm that shake the ground just over an minute earlier .
While IMO representatives said the eruption is weakening , the endangerment impersonate by the lava continues . The late hazard mapping added two raw areas to the danger zone . The areas in purple show the area where the fissure appeared . To the left , the orbit around the Svartsengi power works and Blue Lagoon resort are at jeopardy of cracks appear and lava flow , while Grindavík , in the red geographical zone to the south , is also at risk from risky gasoline , earthquakes and lava .
" Hazards are only assessed within these area , but jeopardy may lurk outside them , " representative write in a translated statement . " Conditions inside and outside the areas are capable to alteration at brusk notice . "
harmonise to the IMO , there is a continue risk of further bam at the original crevice , and to the north and Confederate States .
Risk of sudden eruption near Grindavík diminished
The likeliness that a volcanic crevice on Iceland ’s Reykjanes Peninsula will give rise to a new eruption near the little fishing townsfolk of Grindavík has decreased , along with the risk of young lava flows , grant to the Icelandic Meteorological Office ( IMO ) .
" In the last 24 hour , the high activity in the eructation has stay around the middle of the fissure that opened on 18 December , " IMO voice said in astatementon Wednesday . seismal activity has been relatively steady since the eruption began on Monday , they say , and ground deformation around the cleft has remained minimum .
A risk appraisal function unfreeze on Wednesday drew a reddened geographical zone around Grindavík , meaning the Ithiel Town was at risk from hazardous gasoline , earthquakes and lava . But the risk of new eruptions has decreased and lava run from the fissure ’s volcanic crater now seem to have ceased .
" The activity appears to have diminished of late last Nox or very ahead of time this morning , " representatives say on Thursday . " However , it is still possible that lava is flow in closed channels , so it is untimely to announce the outbreak over . "
