The scene is as spectacular as it’s harmful: flowing rivers of shimmering lava and a dramatic plume of poisonous gasoline.
That picture has been the fact for a lot of the previous 4 months within the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, which the nation’s tourism web site has known as a “geological wonder where lighthouses outnumber villages.”
A collection of volcano eruptions started in December after tons of of earthquakes shook the peninsula, cracking open a fissure that despatched lava spewing right into a residential neighborhood for the primary time in additional than 4 a long time. The volcanic system has erupted a number of extra occasions since then.
Grindavik, a fishing city of greater than 3,500 individuals about 30 miles southwest of the nation’s capital, Reykjavik, has been evacuated, and the close by Blue Lagoon, a well-liked geothermal spa, has been largely closed since early November.
Whereas a lot of life goes on in the remainder of Iceland, the eruptions have had an impact past the peninsula, disrupting the tourism operations of a rustic that relies heavily on visitors.
Icelandair mentioned it has seen a unfavorable impression on bookings due to the specter of the eruptions. Whereas the general variety of passengers carried by the airline in February elevated in comparison with final 12 months, the quantity flying to Iceland dropped by 8 p.c, in response to the airline.
Whereas the eruptions proceed, the scenario has been “steady” this week, in response to the Icelandic Meteorological Workplace, the nation’s climate service. However lava continues to stream from three craters towards Grindavik, the service mentioned.
The eruptions additionally produce excessive ranges of gasoline air pollution. The focus of sulfur dioxide within the air is “very unhealthy,” in response to the Met Workplace, which added that “people are likely to experience respiratory symptoms if exposed.”
The Blue Lagoon, a spa and lodge complicated in Grindavik, is closed in the mean time. It first briefly shut its doorways in November after hundreds of earthquakes, indicators of the approaching eruption, hit the area.
The resort has reopened sometimes, however has been closed for greater than 85 days since then, the lodge mentioned in an e mail. It’s at the moment on its sixth closure since Nov. 9.
Lava broken a number of homes in Grindavik when it breached a protection wall that was purported to route it away from the city.
Across the city, earthquakes precipitated cracks within the streets. Breaks within the roads have been full of gravel.
The authorities proceed to warn guests to steer clear of the eruption web site. “The edges of the new lava field are unstable and large chunks of lava can fall suddenly,” the Met Workplace mentioned.
