Iceland sees string of volcanic eruptions

COPENHAGEN - Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula has seen a string of volcanic eruptions since 2021 when geological systems dormant for around 800 years became active again.

Experts say the region, just south of the capital Reykjavik and home to 30,000 people, could experience so-called fissure eruptions repeatedly for several centuries.

Following is a timeline of recent eruptions:

March 19, 2021

Lava fountains erupted from a 500 to 750m long fissure in the Fagradalsfjall system. Volcanic activity in the area continued for six months, prompting thousands of tourists to visit.

More than 40,000 earthquakes occurred on the peninsula in the month leading up to the eruption, a huge jump from the 1,000 to 3,000 earthquakes each year since 2014.

Aug 3, 2022

The three-week eruption in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system started after days of earthquake activity. Due to poisonous gases, tourists and residents were asked to avoid the area and a “code red” stopped airplanes flying over the site.

July 10, 2023

The small eruption of the Litli Hrutur volcanic system, some 60km from the capital, resulted in gas pollution from lava, though it was far from any densely populated areas.

Dec 18, 2023

An eruption in the Svartsengi volcanic system near Grindavik sent lava and smoke across a wide area after weeks of intense earthquake activity. A roughly 4km long crack in the ground stretched towards Grindavik.

Jan 14, 2024

The eruption lasted two days, and the lava flow reached the outskirts of Grindavik, home to nearly 4,000 residents, setting three houses alight.

Feb 8, 2024

This eruption lasted roughly a day, with lava spewing 80m high from a 3km crack.

Lava flows damaged pipelines after which hot water supply used to warm homes was cut off during freezing winter temperatures. The Blue Lagoon closed after lava covered a road.

March 16, 2024

The eruption between the Hagafell and Store-Skogfell peaks lasted for 54 days, making it the second-longest on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021.

It erupted in the same area as the previous outburst and spewed smoke, molten rock and bright orange lava from an estimated 3km fissure.

May 29, 2024

The eruption near Hagafell on the Reykjanes peninsula lasted for 24 days leaving a large area covered in solidified lava.

The eruption was the most powerful since the volcanic system became active again three years earlier. Lava fountains reached a height of 50m and a fissure length of at least 3.4km.

Aug 22, 2024

An eruption at Sundhnukar crater on the Reykjanes peninsula that lasted 16 days spewed glowing hot lava and smoke into the night sky around midnight with a fissure length of around 3.9km.

The nearby area was evacuated although the lava was not flowing towards Grindavik.

Nov 20, 2024

An eruption burst out in the middle of the night with very short notice.

It had a fissure length of around 3km and was estimated to be significantly smaller than the previous one, according to Iceland’s meteorological office. REUTERS