After remaining dormant for over eight centuries, a volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted once again, marking its 10th eruption since 2021. The latest eruption, which took place on Wednesday night, produced dramatic lava flows and towering plumes of smoke, with the molten rock flowing toward the Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist destination near Grindavik.
The eruption began at around 11:14 pm (2314 GMT) and quickly formed a fissure stretching approximately 3 kilometers long. While the eruption was smaller compared to the previous one in August, it still captured the attention of many, thanks to stunning aerial footage shared by a passenger on an easyJet flight. Kayleigh, the passenger, recorded a breathtaking video of the lava flowing across the landscape, turning it orange. The video quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), garnering over 5 million views, with many users praising the footage as “mesmerizing” and “amazing.”
“Iceland’s volcano erupted last night… My life has peaked. Nothing is ever topping this,” Kayleigh wrote when posting the video. The striking footage showcases the scale and intensity of the volcanic eruption, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view of the natural phenomenon.
Iceland’s meteorological office has indicated that while the eruption activity is ongoing, it is significantly smaller than the eruption in August. Most of the previous eruptions have been brief, lasting only a few days. Authorities have warned, however, that gas emissions from the eruption could affect air quality across parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula, including the town of Grindavik. This area had been evacuated last year when the volcano first became active after centuries of dormancy.
Although the eruption has raised concerns about gas emissions, it does not pose any immediate threat to air travel, as the volcanic activity remains contained within the peninsula. Iceland sits on a volcanic hotspot, and eruptions in the region are not uncommon, occurring approximately every four to five years. The most disruptive eruption in recent memory was in 2010 when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, sending a massive ash cloud into the atmosphere and causing major disruptions to transatlantic flights for months.
As the current eruption continues to capture global attention, the eruption’s beauty and destructive power serve as a reminder of Iceland’s unique position on the edge of the North Atlantic tectonic plate. While the immediate risks remain manageable, the ongoing volcanic activity is a spectacle for both locals and travelers who continue to witness the extraordinary forces of nature.
Sources By Agencies
