Hey OLS Community!
We have an important update regarding volcanic activity in Iceland. A new volcanic eruption began today at noon on the Reykjanes Peninsula. This eruption is the eighth in a series of eruptions that started in March 2021 and is the largest one in the Sundhnúkagígaröðin eruption series so far, according to geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson.
Key Details:
- Start Date: May 29, 2024
- Location: Sundhnúkagígaröðin, Reykjanes Peninsula
- Significance: This eruption is noted to be the largest in the current eruption series, with a rapidly expanding fissure and significant lava flow.
Background: The first eruption in this series began on March 19, 2021, at Fagradalsfjall and lasted for 274 days. It was a spectacular event that did not threaten inhabited areas or infrastructure, attracting many visitors.
Subsequent eruptions in the area have been shorter but have caused more destruction, particularly near Grindavík. These eruptions have led to evacuations and disruptions, including power and hot water outages.
Current Situation: The latest eruption today has produced a large amount of lava quickly, with early estimates indicating it might exceed previous eruptions in terms of daily lava output. For instance, a one-day eruption in February 2024 released 12.8 million cubic meters of lava, far surpassing the average daily output of the first eruption.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor this situation. We encourage everyone to stay safe and follow any guidance or advisories from local authorities.
For more detailed information, join the discussion in the forum under the thread titled New Volcanic Eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Stay safe and informed!
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Íris Líf, OLS Community Manager – Icelandic