Current:Home > InvestAn Iceland volcano spews red streams of lava toward an evacuated town-LoTradeCoin
An Iceland volcano spews red streams of lava toward an evacuated town
View
Date:2024-12-24 00:55:15
GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP) — A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Wednesday for the fifth time since December, spewing red lava that once again threatened the coastal town of Grindavik and led to the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
The eruption began in the early afternoon following a series of earthquakes north of the town of 3,800 people that was largely evacuated in December when the volcano came to life after centuries of dormancy and put on an impressive show of nature’s power.
Although activity began to calm down by early evening, the eruption was estimated to be the area’s most vigorous so far, as lava shot 50 meters (165 feet) into the sky from a fissure that grew to 3.5 kilometers (2.1 miles) in length, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.
Barriers built to protect Grindavik deflected the flowing lava that cut off two of the three roads leading to town and was close to reaching the third.
“It’s a much larger volume that’s on the move right now headed for town,” Grindavik Mayor Fannar Jónasson told national broadcaster RUV. “The lava has already conquered (a lot).”
Workers and anyone still in town were ordered to leave earlier in the day, police said. The Blue Lagoon thermal spa — one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions — was evacuated before the eruption began, RUV said.
At one point, a dark plume of ash boiled up over the crater from an explosive interaction of magma hitting groundwater, scientists said.
The cloud did not rise high enough to initially pose any threat to aviation, but scientists were closely monitoring the situation, Jóhanna Malen Skúladóttir, of the Met Office, told RUV.
Grindavik, which is about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, has been threatened since a swarm of earthquakes in November forced an evacuation in advance of the initial Dec. 18 eruption. A subsequent eruption overwhelmed some defensive walls and consumed several buildings.
The area is part of the Svartsengi volcanic system that was dormant for nearly 800 years before reawakening.
The volcano erupted again in February and March. The Feb. 8 eruption engulfed a pipeline, cutting off heat and hot water to thousands of people.
Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, sees regular eruptions and is experienced at dealing with them. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere and led to widespread airspace closures over Europe.
___
Associated Press writer Brian Melley contributed from London.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Inter Miami's MLS playoff failure sets stage for Messi's last act, Alexi Lalas says
- Florida enacts tough law to get homeless off the streets, leaving cities and counties scrambling
- California sues Catholic hospital for denying emergency abortion
- Fantasy football Week 5: Trade value chart and rest of season rankings
- Kate Spade Outlet’s Early Black Friday Sale – Get a $259 Bag for $59 & More Epic Deals Starting at $25
- Dockworkers go on a strike that could reignite inflation and cause shortages in the holiday season
- Appeals court reinstates Indiana lawsuit against TikTok alleging child safety, privacy concerns
- Two nominees for West Virginia governor agree to Oct. 29 debate
- When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
- Port workers strike at East Coast, Gulf ports sparks fears of inflation and more shortages
Ranking
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
- Reporter Taylor Lorenz exits Washington Post after investigation into Instagram post
- Love Is Blind Star Chelsea Blackwell Debuts New Romance
- Social media star MrBallen talks new book, Navy SEALs, mental health
- NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison dies at 86
- As heat rises, California kids are sweltering in schools with no air conditioning
- Is it time to buy an AI-powered Copilot+ PC?
- Travis Kelce Shows Off His Hosting Skills in Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? Trailer
Recommendation
Parts of Southern California under quarantine over oriental fruit fly infestation
Key swing state faces ‘daunting’ level of uncertainty after storm ravages multiple counties
Fran Drescher Reveals How Self-Care—and Elephants!—Are Helping Her Grieve Her Late Father
LeBron James Reacts to Making Debut With Son Bronny James as Lakers Teammates
NATO’s Rutte calls for more Western support for Ukraine, warns of Russian alliances
Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 5
7 Debate Questions about Climate Change and Energy for Pennsylvania’s Senate Candidates
As heat rises, California kids are sweltering in schools with no air conditioning