Iceland volcano erupts, forcing mass evacuation of town and resort
Iceland volcano forces mass evacuation (Photo: Getty Images)
A volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland has forced the evacuation of tourists and residents from the fishing town of Grindavik and the popular Blue Lagoon resort, reports BBC.
The eruption began in the morning with a series of earthquakes and the formation of a 1.2 km-long fissure.
Fiery lava flows and smoke filled the area, posing a threat to residents and infrastructure.
According to Rikke Pedersen from the Nordic Volcanological Centre, "the town is under threat due to the potential for lava to enter residential areas."
Despite evacuation orders, some people chose to remain in their homes. The regional police commissioner, Ulfar Ludviksson, confirmed that "seven or eight houses in Grindavik remain occupied."
Meanwhile, in the northern part of the town, a hot water pipeline was reported damaged due to cracks, and protective barriers were breached by a new volcanic fissure.
Gas pollution and consequences
Roads leading to Grindavik have been closed, but air traffic has not been affected. Meteorologists warn of the potential spread of gas pollution to the northeast, toward the Icelandic capital. Although volcanic activity subsided by midday, the threat remains.
The situation in Iceland echoes recent goings-on in Alaska, where Mount Spurr shows signs of increased activity. Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory warn of a potential eruption in the coming weeks or months due to elevated volcanic gas emissions and the reactivation of gas vents.
