A long-dormant volcano erupted on Friday on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland, firing a lava fountain that illuminated the night sky about 30 kilometers southwest of the country’s capital, the Icelandic Meteorological Office. reported Friday. The eruption, estimated to be the first on the peninsula in nearly 800 years, follows weeks of increased seismic activity in the region.
“The eruption is considered small at this stage and the eruptive fissure is applicable. 500 m [546 yards] long. The magma area is app. 1km2. [0.4 square miles]Said the IMO a tweet. “The lava springs are small.”
Later, the agency tweeted about a video of the aftermath of the eruption taken from a Coast Guard helicopter, which you can see in all its terrifying glory below.
The eruption occurred near Mount Fagradalsfjall and began around 4:45 p.m. Friday and caused lava to explode up to 100 meters (100 meters) into the air, the meteorological office said. Iceland, Bjarki Friis. Reuters. The IMO first sight the eruption with a webcam he installed near the mountain, which he then confirmed using satellite thermal imaging. Hours later, the agency said the lava appeared to flow “slowly to the southwest and west.” The glow of the lava could be seen from the outskirts of the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík.
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Although local authorities said they did not believe the eruption posed an immediate threat to nearby cities, they advised residents to close the windows and remain inside to prevent possible inhalation of volcanic gas expelled from the fissure. The Icelandic police too urged the people stay away from the eruption site for the time being while first responders continue to assess the situation.
More than 40,000 earthquakes have hit the region in the past four weeks, Reuters reports. The peninsula recorded about 400 earthquakes on Thursday morning alone and several low-frequency earthquakes were recorded below Fagradalsfjall on Friday earlier in the day, according to the IMO.
Iceland is one of the most volcanic nations in the world. Of its approximately 130 volcanoes, approximately 30 remain active. The Since then, the Reykjanes Peninsula has remained relatively quiet spit on and off in a series of large eruptions between the 10th and 13th centuries, but scientists began to prepare for possible eruptions after the rate of the region earthquakes increased dramatically in 2019.