A new volcanic eruption occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland on August 23, 2024, following a series of significant earthquakes. The eruption began at 9:26 PM local time, with dramatic footage showing red lava spewing from a fissure approximately 2.4 miles (4 kilometers) long[1][2][4]. This marks the sixth eruption in the region since December 2023, indicating a period of heightened volcanic activity that began after centuries of dormancy.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that the volcanic activity remained localized, and there was no immediate threat to the nearby town of Grindavik, which had previously faced extensive evacuations during earlier eruptions. Most of Grindavik’s residents had evacuated prior to this eruption, and while some returned intermittently, few chose to stay overnight due to ongoing volcanic threats[1][3][4].
Authorities have implemented precautionary measures, including the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon thermal spa and the closure of roads in the vicinity. Despite the eruption, Keflavik Airport reported that air travel was unaffected[2][3]. The geological activity in the area has raised concerns among scientists, who warn that the Reykjanes Peninsula may experience recurring eruptions for decades to come[2][4].
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[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iceland-volcano-eruption-new-fissure-reykjanes-peninsula/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/23/volcano-near-icelands-grindavik-erupts-for-sixth-time-since-december
[3] https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-08-23/an-iceland-volcano-erupts-again-but-spares-the-nearby-town-of-grindavik-for-now
[4] https://apnews.com/article/iceland-volcano-reykjanes-grindavik-a2f46d6985d57fd2d9a0071efc58ace3
[5] https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent
[6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/08/23/iceland-volcano-eruption-grindavik-blue-lagoon/
[7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/climate-environment/iceland-volcano-erupts-for-sixth-time-since-december/2024/08/23/69d23420-94ed-467c-b9a7-f00c6669cfad_video.html
[8] https://www.kten.com/news/icelands-volcanic-eruption-slows-as-lava-flows-from-second-fissure/article_5c7f4cfe-693c-530b-8ae3-dffc03d756dc.html
