Authorities in Iceland have issued a warning to tourists and spectators regarding a newly erupting volcano that is emitting lava and noxious gases from a fissure in the country’s southwest. The eruption began on Monday afternoon following numerous earthquakes in the area, according to meteorological authorities. This event comes 11 months after the previous eruption officially concluded. The volcano, located near the Litli Hrutur mountain, is situated approximately 19 miles southwest of the capital city, Reykjavik. Despite its proximity to Keflavik Airport, which is Iceland’s international air traffic hub, the eruption has not caused any damage or disruptions to flights. As of now, the airport remains open.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported that this eruption was initially more explosive compared to the previous two. Aerial footage shows streams of orange molten lava and clouds of gases bellowing from a snaking half-mile long fissure. The IMO has warned of high levels of gas pollution in the area, advising travelers not to enter until conditions have been assessed by responders. On Tuesday morning, scientists observed that the size of the fissure and the volume of the eruption had decreased, indicating that it has become a small eruption. University of Iceland geophysics professor Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson stated that this is positive news.
Although Gudmundsson believes the eruption could potentially last a long time, he clarified that it will likely not continue at the same intensity as seen in the first few hours. In 2021, a previous eruption in the same region produced magnificent lava flows for several months, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Iceland, situated above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions approximately every four to five years. The most disruptive volcanic event in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which resulted in extensive airspace closures over Europe due to the large ash clouds it released. This forced the grounding of over 100,000 flights, stranding millions of travelers and suspending air travel for several days out of concern for potential damage to jet engines.
To summarize, authorities in Iceland have cautioned visitors to stay away from a newly erupting volcano due to the emission of lava and noxious gases. Despite initial explosiveness, the eruption has now become smaller, providing some relief. Iceland, known for its volcanic activity, maintains a history of eruptions, with the most notable being the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption that caused significant disruptions in European airspace.
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