Iceland volcano erupts for 10th time in 3 years

(CLO) A volcano near Iceland's capital Reykjavik erupted late Wednesday, marking the tenth time in the past three years.

However, the Icelandic meteorological service said there had been no disruption to air traffic or infrastructure in the area. And while the volcano remains active, the situation has not caused any serious disruption to daily life.

Iceland, with a population of nearly 400,000, sits on the fault line between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, making it a seismic hotspot. It is home to geysers, hot springs and dozens of volcanoes.

Lava flows on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavik, Iceland. Photo: Reuters

Live footage from the area showed a spectacular sight: molten lava in vibrant yellows and oranges, shooting into the dark night sky. The images drew a lot of attention from the online community, leaving many people feeling both amazed and scared by the power of nature.

Iceland's meteorological agency said that just 45 minutes before a giant crack appeared in the ground, opening a crater about 3 km long, molten lava penetrated the Earth's crust and surged to the surface.

Scientists had previously predicted an imminent volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 30 km southwest of the capital Reykjavik. They discovered that a large amount of magma was accumulating underground in this area.

The most recent eruption in the area only ended on September 6. However, there has been no significant increase in seismic activity in recent weeks.

Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport said on its website that flights were not affected and no critical infrastructure was at risk from the volcanic eruption.

The nearby fishing town of Grindavik, which had about 4,000 residents before it was evacuated last December, remains deserted due to the threat of lava flows. While there is no sign of lava flowing toward the town, about 50 homes have been evacuated, according to a statement from the civil protection agency.

Dormant for 800 years, however, in 2021, geological activities were reactivated in 2021. Since then, the volcano here has erupted with increasing frequency, with the most recent being the 6th in 2024.

Experts have warned that the Reykjanes area is likely to continue to see repeated volcanic eruptions for decades, perhaps even centuries.

Ha Trang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nui-lua-o-iceland-phun-trao-lan-thu-10-trong-vong-3-nam-post322393.html