The scene is as spectacular as it’s harmful: flowing rivers of shimmering lava and a dramatic plume of poisonous fuel.
That picture has been the fact for a lot of the previous 4 months within the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, which the nation’s tourism web site has known as a “geological surprise the place lighthouses outnumber villages.”
A sequence of volcano eruptions started in December after a whole lot of earthquakes shook the peninsula, cracking open a fissure that despatched lava spewing right into a residential neighborhood for the primary time in additional than 4 many years. The volcanic system has erupted a number of extra occasions since then.
Grindavik, a fishing city of greater than 3,500 individuals about 30 miles southwest of the nation’s capital, Reykjavik, has been evacuated, and the close by Blue Lagoon, a preferred geothermal spa, has been largely closed since early November.
Whereas a lot of life goes on in the remainder of Iceland, the eruptions have had an impact past the peninsula, disrupting the tourism operations of a rustic that depends closely on guests.
Icelandair mentioned it has seen a unfavourable affect on bookings due to the specter of the eruptions. Whereas the general variety of passengers carried by the airline in February elevated in comparison with final yr, the quantity flying to Iceland dropped by 8 %, in accordance with the airline.
Whereas the eruptions proceed, the scenario has been “regular” this week, in accordance with the Icelandic Meteorological Workplace, the nation’s climate service. However lava continues to move from three craters towards Grindavik, the service mentioned.
The eruptions additionally produce excessive ranges of fuel air pollution. The focus of sulfur dioxide within the air is “very unhealthy,” in accordance with the Met Workplace, which added that “individuals are more likely to expertise respiratory signs if uncovered.”
The Blue Lagoon, a spa and resort complicated in Grindavik, is closed in the intervening time. It first briefly shut its doorways in November after hundreds of earthquakes, indicators of the approaching eruption, hit the area.
The resort has reopened sometimes, however has been closed for greater than 85 days since then, the resort mentioned in an e mail. It’s presently on its sixth closure since Nov. 9.
Lava broken a number of homes in Grindavik when it breached a protection wall that was presupposed to route it away from the city.
Across the city, earthquakes triggered cracks within the streets. Breaks within the roads have been full of gravel.
The authorities proceed to warn guests to avoid the eruption website. “The perimeters of the brand new lava area are unstable and enormous chunks of lava can fall instantly,” the Met Workplace mentioned.
