Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula hit by most powerful eruption yet

The eruption of the volcano occurred on Saturday evening on the Reykjanes peninsula in Southwest Iceland, marking the fourth eruption since December 2023. The Icelandic Meteorological Institute reported that the eruption was preceded by minor seismic tremors.

The issued statement highlighted that the eruption started between the mountains of Skogfells and Hagafells, north of the town of Grindavik, approximately 48 kilometres southwest of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office noted that the eruption created a nearly 3.2-kilometre-long fissure in the ground between the two mountains. Lava flowed mainly south and southeast at a speed of about 1 kilometre per hour overnight and could eventually reach the ocean, as reported by The Guardian.

Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a geophysicist who surveyed the area by helicopter, stated that Saturday's eruption was the most powerful on the peninsula to date, with a longer fissure than those in previous eruptions, which he described as "very active", according to reports.

Icelandic public television RUV is broadcasting live footage of the erupting lava, the glow, and smoke clouds. It was reported that the nearby thermal resort Blue Lagoon and, once more, the residents of Grindavik have been evacuated.

The Guardian reported that the Svartsengi power plant, which serves about 30,000 people on the Reykjanes peninsula with electricity and water, was evacuated during the first eruption in mid-December. Since then, the plant has been operated remotely.

The Icelandic Civil Service has urged tourists to avoid the eruption site. However, according to an RUV reporter, many people are still venturing towards the eruption, with their cars scattered around, seizing the opportunity to capture memorable photos for their travel collections.

So far, the eruption has not disrupted operations at Keflavik airport.

This event marks the fourth volcanic eruption in this area since December 18 last year. In mid-January 2024, flowing lava damaged a road and three houses in Grindavik, and in February, it affected water pipelines and power networks. After these incidents, many residents chose not to return to the town.