Volcano erupts near Iceland power plant after weeks of seismic unrest

A volcano situated perilously close to an Iceland power plant erupted on Tuesday, casting geysers of molten lava into the wintry night sky.

The eruption, which commenced on Monday at approximately 10:17 pm following a series of small tremors, unfolded a mere three kilometers from the evacuated fishing port of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office, having issued warnings for weeks due to heightened seismic activity, observed the eruption occurring near the Svartsengi geothermal plant.

This crucial facility, situated just two kilometers from the eruption site, supplies electricity and water to 30,000 residents on the peninsula.

Live-streamed footage of the event captured the awe-inspiring sight of glowing orange jets of lava spewing from a fissure in the ground, surrounded by billowing clouds of red smoke against the dark morning sky.

Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, acknowledging the severity of the eruption, expressed hope while admitting its considerable scale.

As anticipation built over weeks, thousands of people were evacuated, including the closure of the renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

The meteorological office estimated the fissure to be about four kilometers long, with the eruption’s southern end a mere three kilometers away from Grindavik.

By 3:00 am, authorities reported that the eruption’s intensity had stabilized, with decreasing activity, though its duration remained uncertain.

President Gudni Johannesson emphasized the priority of protecting lives and infrastructure, urging caution in the affected area.

Vidir Reynisson, head of the Department of Civil Protection, cautioned against approaching the eruption site, emphasizing that it was “no tourist eruption.”

Unlike the disruptive 2010 eruption that grounded flights across Europe and North America, this event did not produce an ash plume, allowing Reykjavik’s international airport to remain open.

The Reykjanes peninsula had experienced heightened seismic activity since October, culminating in this eruption.

While no immediate risk to infrastructure was reported, the mayor of Grindavik, Fannar Jonasson, assured the public, despite reports of the lava flow’s southern end tapering off.

This eruption marks a potential turning point for the region, with volcanologists suggesting it could herald a new era of volcanic activity.

Iceland, home to 33 active volcano systems, witnessed its last eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula eight centuries ago. Recent eruptions in 2021, 2022, and earlier this year occurred in remote, uninhabited areas, drawing crowds of fascinated visitors.

Recalling the disruptive 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption, which impacted global air travel, Iceland’s geographical position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge makes it susceptible to seismic and volcanic events.

As the nation braces for the aftermath of this recent eruption, questions linger about whether it signals the onset of a more active volcanic period in the region.