A volcano recently erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, producing spectacularly visible lava flows. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the eruption began late on March 19 and has been continuing ever since.
This is the first volcanic eruption on Reykjanes since the late 13th century, making it a historical landmark for the entire region. In fact, the area was named “the Fire Castle” by an explorer in 1226, referencing its possible historic connection to volcanic activity in the area.
The eruption is a fissure eruption, which means it occurs in fractures in the ground in the form of a line or crack. This type of eruption is less dangerous than an explosive downstream eruption of magma. The volcano is located in a sparsely populated area, so the eruption is causing limited disruption for locals.
The Icelandic Met Office reported that earthquakes had been detected in the area before the eruption, and that the seismic activity seemed to be centered below the surface of the summit of the volcano. This provides strong evidence that the eruption is a direct result of geological activity in the area.
As of March 25, 2021, the lava flow is being described as “beautifully visible”, originating approximately 1 km southeast of the summit crater of the volcano. The lava covers an area of about 1 square kilometer and is about 10-15 meters thick. It’s estimated that the current eruption rate is between 15-30 cubic meters per second, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The volcano is monitored 24/7 by the Icelandic Meteorological Office, and civil protection teams are on high alert in the event that any of the lava flow should move closer to residential areas. Overall, the eruption is a captivating event and a rare occurrence in this area of the world, with no reports of damage so far.