Iceland volcano eruption sparks gas pollution warning
Gas pollution is likely to hit the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik within hours, as lava has been emerging from a 3.5km-long crack in the Earth's surface since Monday night.
Tuesday 19 December 2023 13:58, UK
Iceland's capital is at risk of gas pollution after weeks of intense earthquake activity culminated with a spectacular eruption.
Molten rock has been spewing from fissures in the ground in the Reykjanes peninsula, after a crack around two miles long emerged and grew rapidly.
By Tuesday afternoon, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said gas could reach Reykjavik tonight or tomorrow.
The peninsula, a volcanic and seismic hot-spot, is around 30 miles southwest of the city.
Lava 'may head towards nearby town' - live updates
An evacuation had taken place in the southwest fishing town of Grindavik in the days before the eruption, which happened late on Monday night, with nearly 4,000 people moved out.
There have been several eruptions in unpopulated areas in the peninsula in recent years, but authorities said the latest was believed to pose an immediate risk to the town.
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'This is a big eruption'
The Icelandic Met Office issued its first alert after the eruption on Monday.
It said seismic activity and GPS data suggested the magma was moving southwest, and the eruption "may continue in the direction of Grindavik".
Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland's civil protection and emergency management, told the country's public broadcaster RUV it should be "considered a big eruption".
Local police raised their alert level as a result of the eruption and the country's civil defence also warned the public to avoid the area.
The nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa has also been closed as a precaution.
Eruption produced 'a lot of lava'
Volcanologist Haraldur Sigurdsson told Sky News the lava is unlikely to reach populated areas.
"This is a type of eruption where you don't get explosions, these are fountains of magma," he said.
"They are caused by the pressure of the magma moving up and the gasses that are contained.
"It produces a lot of lava, which turns then turns to rock and adds to Iceland."
'These eruptions can last for months'
But fellow volcanologist Dougal Jerram warned there was no way to be sure how long the eruption could last.
"These eruptions can often last for several days - and in the most extreme examples, several months," he said.
Dr Sam Mitchell, associate in volcanology at the University of Bristol, said monitoring the magma and lava isn't easy because southwest Iceland is in "near constant darkness" at this time of year.
"Even though the glow of lava is more observable during darker hours, it makes assessing larger areas of land and impact a little more challenging," he added.
Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hotspot as the two plates move in opposite directions.
British holidaymaker awaits flight news
Reykjavik's international airport has so far remained open.
British holidaymaker Helen Hope was on a plane waiting for her flight back to Manchester to take off and said passengers "were scrambling to have a look" as the pilot awaited the all-clear for take-off.
Professor Matthew Watson, professor of volcanoes and climate at the University of Bristol, said it disruption to air travel was "unlikely but not impossible".
"This type of eruption doesn't generally produce much ash which is what tends to ground planes," he said.
But he warned tourists there were still "significant hazards", and they should follow official advice.
Area was on alert for weeks
Iceland was put on high alert for a volcano eruption in November when a state of emergency was declared.
The Reykjanes peninsula had been shaken by hundreds of small earthquakes every day for more than two weeks.
Authorities were working on a plan to protect the evacuated town of Grindavik from an eruption, which scientists feared could result in lava flowing towards people's homes.
The Icelandic civil defence said earth walls would be built to divert a river of molten lava away from the town.