Iceland has declared a state of emergency after the volcano erupted for the fourth time in three months.
The eruption opened a nearly 2-mile-long crack between the Stora-Skogfell and Hagafell mountains on the Reykjanes Peninsula, according to Iceland’s meteorological office, which had been warning for weeks about an eruption due to magma accumulating underground.
The volcanic eruption has slowed considerably, but the eruption has not yet ended, according to an update issued Sunday by Iceland’s meteorological office. Lava continues to flow from the fissure, and a lava front extends west and south, now about 820 feet from Sudurstrandervegur – the main road on the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The Met Office said the lava moved at an average speed of about 39 feet per hour and at that speed it could take an additional 20 hours to reach the main road.
The volcano erupted about 30 miles southwest of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, a few miles northeast of the coastal town of Grindavik. Grindavik was earlier evacuated in November when a series of earthquakes from the Svartsengi volcanic system opened large cracks north of the town.
No flights were reported disrupted by the explosion at Iceland’s main airport, KaflavÃk, or other regional airports.
There have been no confirmed deaths from the four eruptions, but the Associated Press reported that one worker has been declared missing after falling into a volcanic fissure.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon evacuated, temporarily closed after explosion
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon thermal spa when the eruption began. The Blue Lagoon, one of the country’s top tourist destinations, posted on its website on Sunday that it had been evacuated and all operating units were temporarily closed. It will remain closed until at least Tuesday, March 19.
According to a statement on the Blue Lagoon’s website, “Despite these recent events, all of our facilities remain in good condition and are surrounded by protective barriers designed to protect the Blue Lagoon’s critical infrastructure against potential lava flows. “
Smoke, lava emanating from volcanic eruption in Iceland are visible in pictures.
Contributed by: Associated Press.
