GRINDAVIK: On Wednesday, a volcano in Iceland’s southwest had an eruption for the fifth time since December, resulting in red lava that once again imperiled the coast town of Grindavik and caused popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to be evacuated.
The eruption began around noon following a series of quakes occurring to the north of the town which had been largely abandoned in December after lying dormant for centuries only to come alive and show its strength.
Initial estimates suggested that although activity started dying down early evening on, the eruption was the most forceful so far in this area. According to Icelandic Meteorological Office, 50 meters (165 feet) high lava flowed from a fissure that grew up to 3.5 kilometers long (2.1 miles).
Flowing lava was divided by barriers created to protect Grindavik town which blocked two carriageways going into it while approaching the third one.
“About right now, there is much greater amount of lava moving towards town,” said Fannar Jonasson who is Grindavik Mayor when interviewed by national broadcaster RUV. “It has already taken over.”
At some point during the day, police ordered all workers as well as people still living there to leave town immediately.
Scientists say at one stage magma hitting groundwater forced ash plume rise above crater,
Initially posing no threat to air travel, scientists were monitoring it closely according Johanna Malen Skuladottir from Met Office speaking on RUV.
Grindavik has been under threat since November when a swarm of earthquakes necessitated an evacuation prior to first spewing on Dec. 18 subsequent spews engulfed some defensive walls and consumed several buildings.
This area was part of Svartsengi volcanic system which slept for almost eight centuries before returning back to life.
There have been eruptions again in February and March The pipeline broke during Feb. 8th eruption, cutting off hot water and heat supply to thousands of individuals.
Due to its location above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, Iceland frequently sees eruptions which it is experienced in managing. The most recent major one was the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull volcano whose ash filled skies across Europe leading to airspace closures.
