Volcano in Iceland!

[weegiemum]

It's finally erupted this evening after months of rumblings!

Volcano erupts in south-west Iceland www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67756413

Some discussion about location, lava flow path etc.
Includes video of ongoing eruption.

https://www.youtube.com/live/iqF5YQRdhtw?si=ZWU5u0XS9MGlsJUh

I know it's awful I hope everyone stays safe

Just watching footage now, stunning

Sorry, why is it awful? It's the world reminding us who's boss. Everyone has been evacuated to safety.
We are watching live footage and people are driving on a road in front of it.

@sadbutdontknowwhy exactly this! Humans aren't actually the bosses of the world and I think it's helpful to be reminded of that... it's not just a great big theme park created for our use and amusement. Mother Nature is still capable of kicking our arses.

I believe the Blue Lagoon only reopened yesterday or the day before. Now closed again.

Is this part of the earthquake buildup that has evacuated Grindivik?

There's quite a good webcam here of the area.
And some information from the Icelandic Met Office on the location of the fissure eruption here.

I'm due to fly to Reykjavik next month! Quite excited that we might get to see a real volcano!!

Dabralor ~ yes, it is. The earthquake activity has been rumbling away for weeks!

Wow, the footage is amazing! Glad they evacuated and hope everyone is safe.

That's true. Why are people driving near it?! Madness

Bobtheamazinggingerdog ~ you lucky thing. Visiting Iceland is on my 'to-do list' for the future!

@GloriaSmud ah, I see!

Will this ease the pressure do you think, or is an earthquake still likely? Is it like the earth is popping a big spot?

Looks incredible. I walked up Fagradalsfjall a couple of years ago a couple of months after it had erupted and the rock was still glowing red. Would love to see this now.

People have been evacuated, but their homes and businesses are at still risk. Animals, rivers, farming, will be impacted by falling ash. The environment may be affected with ongoing air pollution. Locals' lung function affected. Last major Icelandic eruption I recall closed down air spaces, affecting around 10 million travellers.

From the BBC article linked:

In April 2010, the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption caused the largest closure of European airspace since World War Two, as a result of an extensive ash cloud.

It's a different kind of eruption to 2010 thanks

It is awful, but millions of people all around the world live with the threat of natural disasters happening. I rarely see posts on MN when something does however.

Oh gosh that's quite an impact

@Dabralor Yes, it's a bit like that! The earthquakes run into 1000s just before an eruption and usually subside once it starts.

Iceland is full of fault lines and there's always seismic activity going on so that's part of the reason why the Icelandic metoffice has its own earthquake web page and the page for the Reykjanes peninsula.

The Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption caused disruption for a number of reasons ~ Wikipedia entry here. Lots of elements e.g. position of the jetstream, melting snow etc came together at the same time.

200 cubic metres of lava per second. Damn straight mother nature is in charge.

My kids school is there on a trip at the moment (year group above her), bet the parents are terrified

With regard to flights so far this is looking nothing like the 2010 event that is mentioned by the BBC.

The aviation warnings overnight have it down as a "Volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission." - That may or may not change with the 0900 UTC/GMT update.

The main international airport, Keflavik, is close to the eruption site - I've seen unconfirmed reports that it shut briefly whilst the situation was assessed early AM but it now looks to be operating normally with quite a few flights in/out in the last hour.

https://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/volcanoes/