Map shows scale of Iceland volcano eruption after thousands evacuated
Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano has finally exploded following weeks of earthquakes in the region, sending molten lava spewing hundreds of feet in the air.
The 4km-long fissure erupted just 1.6 miles away from the fishing village of Grindavik, whose 3,000 residents were evacuated from the area last month.
Sundhnúkagígar is a known volcanic area east located east of popular tourist spot the Blue Lagoon, which is located north of Grindavík.
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The eruption began on the Reykjanes peninsula around 21:00 on Monday night, in the area between the Sýlingarfell and Helgafell mountains.
Svartsengi Power Plant is also located close to the fissure, which estimated to be over 4 km long along the Sundhnúkagígar crater row.
Iceland’s main airport, Keflavik, located near the capital city Reykjavik, remains open.
Travel advice from the British Foreign Office remains unchanged and still lists the same information as it did in November.
‘While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur,’ the department says.
Meanwhile Icelandic officials have said the eruption is ‘not a tourist volcano’ and have warned visitors to stay away from the area.
Geophysicist Björn Oddson told Iceland’s public broadcaster, RUV: ‘The eruption is taking place north of the watershed, so lava does not flow towards Grindavik.’
‘We hope it does not extend further south. The lava goes primarily to Fagradalsfjall,’ he added.
The Icelandic Met Office has placed an orange aviation alert for Rekyjanes, warning pilots that although a volcanic eruption is underway, there is minor, if any, flight-stopping ash emission.
‘It is unlikely, but not impossible that there may be some impact on air travel, although this type of eruption doesn’t generally produce much ash which is what tends to ground planes,’ professor Matthew Watson, Professor of Volcanoes and Climate at the University of Bristol, told Metro.co.uk.
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