# Spectacular Images of the Eruption in Iceland Over the Past Month!
The eruption began like those on December 18, January 14, and February 8, with the opening of a long eruptive fissure upstream from the town of Grindavik, more or less in the same place each time. Unlike the three previous eruptions that lasted less than 48 hours, this one continued beyond the first few hours of intense activity. During this time, a first lava flow to the northwest once again covered the road crossing the peninsula, while a second flow to the south, pushed back by the artificial mounds built to protect Grindavik, stopped very close to the road along the southern coast…
On March 16, an impressive 3 km long fissure!
A Stabilized Eruption, Without Particular Risk, But What a Show!
Quickly, the eruption stabilized on the southernmost part of the initial eruptive fissure, with initially a few active vents nearby, forming a kind of buttonhole of small cones. They each went out in turn until April 5, leaving only one active vent around which an imposing eruptive cone had already formed. It was open towards the south for a long time, but it also closed on that date, allowing the small lake it contained to rise the next day and overflow on one of its sides for a magnificent waterfall!
Lava cascade at sunset…
The intense eruptive flow of the first hours decreased very quickly, stabilized around 15 m3/s, then gradually decreased to about 7 m3/s by the end of March and now to 3 m3/s. This low flow rate explains why since the cessation of the first flows, the lava field has thickened rather than expanded. In fact, of the 614 hectares covered by the lavas of this eruption, only around thirty correspond to lavas that flowed after the first 24 hours of the eruption!
Explosive activity in the eruptive cone and lava pond at its base
Simultaneously with the decrease in eruptive activity, inflation in the Svartsengi area accelerated from early April. This means that in addition to feeding the eruption, some of the magma is accumulating in the magma reservoir at this level. And it is now known that its volume is limiting: what will happen when it is full? Opening of a new fissure? Intensification of the eruption? Remember that the eruption of March 19, 2021, which lasted six months, had many twists and turns after an initial stable and modest phase… So, we shall see.
An Eruption This Time Behind Closed Doors
Although the Icelandic authorities have facilitated access to the eruption site, the spectacle is mainly for the Icelanders.”
During some previous eruptions, the area remains currently off-limits. This is likely due to the winter conditions, but also because of the proximity to the deserted town of Grindavik. However, this has not prevented capturing images of this eruption, along with two exceptional solar phenomena!
Pieces of lava dancing in front of a solar eclipse…
The glow of the eruption under the lights of the northern lights…
An intense eruption near Grindavik in Iceland
A new volcanic eruption is currently underway in Iceland, on the Reykjanes Peninsula. This marks the fourth eruption since last December. Although the intensity seems to be decreasing in recent hours, scientists are concerned about the possibility of the lava reaching the ocean.
While the residents of the town of Grindavik had been able to return to their homes on February 19, they were forced to pack up again hastily on Saturday, March 16. The Blue Lagoon tourist site also had to be evacuated once again.
And for good reason: a new eruption has occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. This is the fourth eruption since the beginning of this volcanic activity in November. While the previous eruptions had been anticipated a few days or even a few hours in advance, giving the authorities time to safely evacuate the population, things escalated quickly this time.
An alert issued only 40 minutes before the eruption began
While the Icelandic Met Office site indicated a high probability of an upcoming eruption as of Friday, March 15, the alert could only be issued on the evening of Saturday, the 16th, just 40 minutes before the first lava fountains erupted from a long fissure, nearly three kilometers long, in the same location as the eruption on February 8.
The pre-eruption phase and its typically associated signals were extremely short. This situation had been anticipated by scientists. The recurrent injection of magma into already open fissures facilitates its rise to the surface, which then occurs rapidly and with lower seismicity.
A lava flow that could reach the sea if the eruption continues
The lava began to flow at a speed of one kilometer per hour towards the town of Grindavik and quickly reached the protective barriers put in place during the previous eruptions. According to the Icelandic site, which regularly updates on the situation’s evolution, this is the most significant eruption since the volcanic crisis began.
On Sunday, March 17, observers reported a decrease in eruptive intensity and a slowing down of lava flows. However, the access road to Grindavik was once again cut off, with the flow running along the northern protective wall of the city to the west. Another flow, however, continues to worry scientists. This one is heading west.The lava flow is moving southeast and getting closer to the main coastal road. About 350 meters ahead lies the shoreline, where the lava could reach the ocean. This scenario raises concerns as the interaction between lava and water could lead to various reactions, including the formation of a gas cloud composed of hydrogen chloride (HCl), a highly dangerous acid. With the recent decrease in eruption intensity, this scenario is now less likely but still needs to be taken seriously.
Breathtaking images of the new eruption in Iceland have emerged! The main lava flow from the eruption that started this morning in Iceland has cut off a major road and a pipeline that supplies many Icelanders with hot water. The consequences of this eruption are already significant, but fortunately, the geothermal power plant and the nearby Blue Lagoon are protected by protective walls built a few weeks ago.
It took five hours for this lava flow to cover the two kilometers to the road that crosses the Reykajnes Peninsula from south to north, between Grindavik and the Reykjavik area. Well-fed, the flow quickly covered the asphalt, precisely at the junction of this road with the one leading to the Blue Lagoon, the famous hot spring with milky waters that was evacuated this morning. Two hours later, the same flow reached a hot water pipeline from the geothermal power plant adjacent to the Blue Lagoon, a pipeline that supplies the northern Reykjanes Peninsula. The approximate speed of the flow is about 500 meters per hour, which is significant.
Lava and snow, what a spectacle!
A drone captures the lava covering the road…
Another view of the lava flow crossing the road.
Excavators continue working despite the nearby glowing flow!
Even though we expect the eruption intensity to decrease, the situation needs to be monitored closely to prevent any potential hazards.
To ensure the eruption is brief, like those in December and January, for now, it continues.
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Original article below published on February 8, 2024, at noon:
This eruption is the sixth on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021, the date of the volcanic reactivation in this area after 800 years of calm. Three eruptions occurred on the Fagradalsfjall fracture system, followed by the reactivation of the Svartsengi system to the west. After intense seismic activity starting on November 10, 2023, a first eruption occurred on December 18, followed by a second on January 14, and a third on February 8. Twenty-five and twenty-seven days separate these eruptions respectively, each lasting about 48 hours, and in addition to these similarities, the volumes emitted from the first two eruptions were comparable!
Relive the eruption of Mount Pelée, narrated by the volcanologist Jacques-Marie Bardintzeff. © Futura
The numerous seismometers and GPS devices in the area, not to mention satellite monitoring, have identified a magma reservoir northwest of the town of Grindavik, about 4-5 kilometers deep. This reservoir appears to be continuously supplied with magma, as indicated by the slow ground swelling during inter-eruption periods, but its storage capacity appears to be limited. Therefore, on February 5, scientists estimated the volume of magma in this reservoir to be around 9 million m^3. As this corresponded to the lower estimate of the volume emitted during the January eruption, these scientists believed that an eruption was becoming very probable! The risk map of the area was then updated, with the Sýlingarfell – Hagafell area turning red, indicating high danger. This is where the eruption took place, almost as predicted!
An eruption with a fairly modest risk
Intense seismic activity began at 5:30 local time this morning, only half an hour before the eruption: that’s very short! The eruptive fissure opened to the east of Mount Sýlingarfell and extended north and south to reach 3 km, which is very long although slightly shorter than the fissure of the December 18 eruption in the same location (4 km!).
A long fissure lights up the Icelandic night!
A real curtain of lava animates this eruptive fissure, with some lava fountains over 100 meters high! The associated flows are expected to mainly extend to the east, in this desert basin, although they could also reach the road that crosses the peninsula from south to north from Grindavik. In fact, the lava is less than a kilometer away!
A real curtain of lava! Magnificent!
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A Third Eruption Is Brewing in Iceland
Article by Morgane Gillard, February 5, 2024
Is a third eruption on the verge of happening in Iceland? Recent ground uplift data suggest that magma continues to accumulate in the northern region of Grindavik, hinting at a possible new eruption within the next two weeks.
It is becoming increasingly evident that we are only at the beginning of a series of eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. In its latest update on the island’s volcanic situation, the Icelandic Met Office indicates that a third eruption could likely occur within 2 weeks.
Magma Continues to Accumulate Deep Below
Recent ground uplift measurements suggest that approximately 6.5 million cubic meters of magma have accumulated beneath the Svartsengi region. The volume of magma is on the verge of reaching the levels just before the last eruption that occurred on January 14th!
The risk of a new fissure opening up and spewing out lava is increasingly high. However, it is impossible to determine exactly when this new eruption might take place. Nonetheless, it seems likely to happen within the next 2 weeks. Typically, clear signs of an impending eruption are only detected a few hours at most before the lava starts flowing. These signs are usually characterized by increased seismic activity. On January 14th, scientists were able to issue a warning about 5 hours before the eruption began. But it is likely that the repetition of magma intrusions each time facilitates the magma’s movement towards the surface. It is therefore feared that the upcoming eruptions may be associated with progressively reduced seismic activity.
Alert Level Raised
Currently, seismic activity remains constant and of low magnitude. Another unknown factor is the location where the next dike, allowing the lava to escape, will open. The focus is currently on the Sýlingarfell-Hagafell area, just north of the town of Grindavik, which has recently been raised to red alert.
Buried under the lava, the Icelandic Meteorological Office warns of a high risk of a new eruption in the region.
Article by Morgane Gillard published on January 12, 2024
The much-feared eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland finally reached its peak on December 18th with the opening of an impressive fissure spewing fountains of lava. However, the volcanic activity quickly subsided, allowing the residents of the town of Grindavik to return home for the holidays. A few days ago, the famous Blue Lagoon also reopened to the public.
But the story may not be over yet. On Tuesday, a new statement from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicated that the risk of a new eruption triggering in the coming days was very real and entirely credible.
The ground continues to rise at a speed of 5 mm per day
And for good reason, GPS measurements indicate a continuous uplift of the ground around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The uplift rate is about five millimeters per day. Compared to the start of the crisis in November, the ground has risen by about five centimeters in this area. This stable inflation, if it does not accelerate, also does not seem to be slowing down. It is important to note that this manifestation is related to the accumulation of magma at depth, at the level of a horizontal intrusion that likely feeds the vertical conduits called dikes. With a diameter of about nine kilometers, the magma intrusion began to form from November 10, 2023, and the fissure eruption in December apparently did not completely drain it.
The volume of magma is the same as at the time of the eruption in December
Some models based on these GPS measurements suggest that the amount of magma accumulated in the reservoir beneath Svartsengi has currently reached a level comparable to that which led to the eruption on December 18th. Although nothing is certain, as usual, the risk of a new eruption in the Svartsengi area is very real and quite high.
As reported in an article by Newsweek, some experts believe that the eruption on December 18th could mark the beginning of a long volcanic crisis on the Reykjanes Peninsula. A crisis that could last for more than a century.A recent decrease in seismic activity over the past few days appears to indicate a stabilization of the situation. The Icelandic Meteorological Office also states that the rate of ground deformation is decreasing. All these observations suggest that the probability of an eruption is now much lower than at the beginning of the crisis that started on November 10.
### End of the State of Emergency
A glimmer of hope for the 3,700 residents of the town of Grindavik who were forced to evacuate their homes. Although they are still not allowed to return home, the risk of their houses and properties being engulfed by lava has significantly diminished. While the state of emergency has been lifted, caution is still advised.
According to Icelandic geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson on the Icelandic website mbl.is, even though the magma has not reached the surface, it has been injected into large fissures in the subsurface, up to a depth of only 800 meters, forming structures known as dikes. Currently, 90% of these dikes have solidified, blocking possible magma pathways. However, an eruption cannot be completely ruled out. The most likely area for an eruption is no longer in the town of Grindavik but rather in the middle of the dike, east of the Sýlingarfell mountain.
### A Now Minimal Risk of a Major Eruption Along the Fissure
Although data suggests that magma is still being injected into the magma chamber at a depth of 5 to 6 kilometers, Guðmundsson explains that the pressure released during this magmatic event has been sufficient to significantly reduce the risk of a violent eruption along this fissure in the coming months or years.
On the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, despite decreased seismic activity and deformation compared to the night of November 10-11, disturbances continue after this exceptional event! The magmatic intrusion causing them is still progressing, and an eruption remains highly probable. It could occur directly under this 15-kilometer-long volcanic conduit, in a desolate area, upstream or in the evacuated town of Grindavik, or potentially in the ocean…
*Article by Ludovic Leduc published on November 11, 2023*
Sismicity and ground deformation in the Grindavik area in Iceland have significantly decreased in recent days. However, the exceptional nature of the disturbances that occurred on the night of November 10-11 should be highlighted because these disturbances continue at a high level. Between midnight and noon on November 14, for example, [700 earthquakes were still recorded](https://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/a-seismic-swarm-started-north-of-grindavik-last-night)! This indicates that the magmatic intrusion that began on November 10 is still progressing, and an eruption remains highly probable! The magma would flow at a rate of about 75 m³/s, and the top of this intrusion would be less than 1,000 meters below the surface…
The town of Grindavik, in the south, has dropped by at least 50 centimeters and even 1 meter in the western part. Impressive cracks can be seen in the evacuated town of Grindavik. Please note that the steam vents are likely due to hot water pipes rather than the nearby magma.
Where and when will the eruption occur?
Two very difficult questions. Since the magma is very close to the surface, the eruption could possibly happen within minutes, but it could also occur in a few days or more. The intrusion may also stop there and cool down without the magma ever coming out! No one can say for sure.
As for the possible eruption sites, they correspond to the areas directly above this 15-kilometer long magmatic intrusion, running in a north-northeast/south-southwest direction, passing right under the town of Grindavik. The magma could therefore emerge completely north of the intrusion, in a completely deserted area in the middle of the Reykjanes Peninsula and several kilometers away from roads. The eruptive fissures could also form in the area of the town of Grindavik, causing imaginable material damage. Additionally, the lava could flow into the ocean, with the activity depending on the depth.
At great depths, the pressure compresses the magma gases, resulting in a effusive eruption that is almost invisible on the surface. However, at shallow depths, the pressure is not as high and seawater can vaporize, adding gas to the magma for very explosive eruptions! This dynamism, called “Surtseyan”, comes from the island of Surtsey, which formed between 1963 and 1967 due to such dynamism, an island located just a hundred kilometers from Grindavik…
State of emergency in Iceland under threat of an eruption possibly in an inhabited area
The disturbances that began on October 24 on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland have significantly intensified on Friday, November 10. While they were initially localized in the area of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant and the famous adjacent Blue Lagoon, they are now slightly developing east of this area and following a northeast/southwest direction that intersects with the town of Grindavik. Strong earthquakes have shaken the houses throughout the night! A state of emergency has been declared, leading to the evacuation of the town and the tourist area of the Blue Lagoon where earth mounds are being built to protect the area…
By Ludovic Leduc, article published on November 11, 2023
The three eruptions since 2021 on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in a desolate area with no particular risk, could be just a gentle prelude to what can be called “the fires of Reykjanes”. After impacting the Blue Lagoon area for about fifteen days, approximately 3 kilometers north of the town of Grindavik and behind Mount Þorbjörn in relation to it, seismic activity and deformation clearly intensified on November 10 and shifted eastward.
Since October 24th, numerous tremors have been occurring about 2 kilometers to the east of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. Throughout the day, seismic activity has been following a northeast-southwest alignment, intersecting the town of Grindavik.
The 4,000 inhabitants of this small town in the south of the Reykjanes Peninsula experienced continuous shaking throughout the night of November 10th to 11th. Between 4 PM and 7 AM local time, over 300 magnitude 3 earthquakes were recorded, including around thirty above magnitude 4 and two above magnitude 5! Additionally, there has been significant ground deformation in the area: some GPS stations moved horizontally by over a meter in a few hours and vertically by nearly 20 centimeters! This is incredibly significant!
An emergency state has been declared due to this seismic activity. The alignment of the earthquakes and their shallow depth, along with the significant ground deformation, indicate the formation of a vertical magma conduit, known as a dyke, following several days of a mostly horizontal magma intrusion, called a sill! The magma is believed to be close to the surface. While the disturbances seem to be easing this morning, the likelihood of an eruption in Grindavik, further north, or even in the sea is quite high!
In response to this threat, Icelandic authorities have declared a state of emergency. Grindavik has been evacuated, and Route 43, which crosses over the dyke and was damaged yesterday, has been closed. The aviation alert level has been raised to orange. Furthermore, the Blue Lagoon and the nearby geothermal power plant have also been evacuated. Despite the disturbances seeming to move away from the area a bit, a construction project to build an earth embankment has begun to protect these crucial infrastructures. Ultimately, it could reach a length of 4 kilometers and a height of 6 to 8 meters! This area is economically significant, partly due to the popularity of the Blue Lagoon and its outdoor hot springs.Island Fears Eruption in Blue Lagoon Area
In just three years, the Reykjanes Peninsula, located in the southwest of Iceland, has experienced three eruptions already, and a fourth one could be imminent! A seismic swarm started on October 24, associated with ground deformation in the area of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant that provides hot water to the famous Blue Lagoon. An eruption in this vast and mostly deserted peninsula could be catastrophic!
For over three years, the Reykjanes Peninsula has been experiencing numerous earthquakes due to repeated magmatic intrusions, some of which lead to eruptions. The three eruptions that have occurred so far took place on the Fagradalsfjall mountain, but the disturbances affect the entire region! The seismic swarm that began on October 24 is located about eight kilometers west of Fagradalsfjall, in the area of the Þorbjörn mountain, just a few kilometers from the town of Grindavik. Furthermore, since October 27, there has been ground swelling affecting the area. The increased ground deformation indicates a magmatic intrusion, with magma possibly located four kilometers deep. This situation raises the possibility of an eruption in the near future, leading to an aviation alert being raised to yellow for the Reykjanes Peninsula.
A Risky Sector in a Nearly Deserted Area
Reykjanes, like many areas on this beautiful North Atlantic island, is known for its vast desolate mineral expanses, with limited human infrastructure. Consequently, the risks associated with a potential eruption, similar to the previous ones with very low explosivity, are relatively low, except in strategic locations like the current troubled area. At the base of the Þorbjörn mountain lies the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, supplying hot water and electricity to this part of the island. It also releases the hot waters that feed the adjacent Blue Lagoon baths, a popular tourist destination in Iceland.