For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
A volcano had erupted in southwest Iceland, posing an immediate threat to a nearby fishing town that had been evacuated over fears of an outbreak, authorities said.
Early-morning live streams from the site showed fountains of molten rock spewing from fissures in the ground, the bright orange lava flow glowing against the dark sky.
The eruption began north of the town of Grindavik, which on Saturday was evacuated for a second time over fears that an outbreak was imminent amid a swarm of seismic activity, authorities said.
Iceland in recent weeks sought to build barriers of earth and rock to prevent lava from reaching Grindavik, but the latest eruption appeared to have penetrated the defences.
“According to the first images from the Coast Guard’s surveillance flight, a crack has opened on both sides of the defences that have begun to be built north of Grindavik,” the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in a statement.
The lava has reached settlements
The first home has been engulfed by lava as live webcams broadcast the eruption.
RUV report the house belongs to a young couple who had not yet moved into the home.
A new fissure opens up
A new fissure has opened up just 50-100 metres away from the town of Grindavik, with more lava flowing towards the town.
The RUV reports the crack is 150m but it could be longer.
The evacuated Icelandic town of Grindavik (R) is seen as smoke billow and lava is thrown into the air from a fissure during a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 19, 2023
Mapped- The volcano’s fissure and seismic activity
A map showing the latest earthquake activity
A map showing the fissure opening marked with a red line.
Should I still travel to Iceland?
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have issued new advice amid the imminent volcanic eruption.
In a statement they said: “A volcanic eruption started on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland on 14 January, north of the town of Grindavík.
“All roads to Grindavík are closed and you should stay away from the area. Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal, but you should check for latest updates. Reykjavik and the rest of Iceland have not been impacted. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities´ advice.”
This Nov. 18, 2023 image provided by Beth Harpaz shows visitors amid mini-icebergs on Diamond Beach on Iceland's South Coast
Huge search for man who fell into crack that opened in Grindavik after Iceland earthquakes
A manhunt has been launched after a worker fell into an enormous crack created by the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
The missing man was working to fill in crevasses formed by earthquakes and volcanic activity in the fishing town of Grindavik when he fell on Wednesday, according to local media.
The search, involving hundreds of rescue workers, had to be called off overnight on Thursday after landslides dropped tonnes of rocks on the area.
Barney Davis has the full report
Urgent plea for spectators to stay away
The director of Civil defence has urged sightseers to leave the area, saying their team have wasted ample time in directing people away from the danger zone.
He told the RUV: “Unfortunately, as always at the beginning of an eruption, people gather and want to go look at this, but I just think that people must realise the reality of the matter and what is going on.
“People must, please, give us a break to try to save what is possible to save.”
People watch as the night sky is illuminated caused by the eruption of a volcano in Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023
Volcanologist says fissure is around1km
Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson told RUV: “We were able to estimate the size of the crack that grew while we flew over. It is around one kilometre long. It is very similar to the lava from the last eruption, but approx. 1/4 of the size. “If the eruption continues with a similar force, it will be several hours until lava reaches the first houses.”
Picture of the volcanic eruption in December
Resident fears the survival of his home as lava gets closer
Born and bred Grindavikian and father–of-two Siggeir Ævarsson, 38, shares his heartbreak as he watches the lava get closer to his home town.
The family has been living at his sister-in-law’s in Reykjavík since November when fears of an eruption first emerged forcing residents to flee.
He told The Independent: “I’m feeling quite numb at the moment, it’s so surreal.
“The electricity is out, and they're talking about shutting off the water too. So our houses might freeze before they burn up in the lava.”
Siggeir Ævarsson and his wife Soffía Sveinsdóttir
Workers rescue their machinery from the lava flow
Workers scrambled to rescue their machinery which was being used to build defensive walls against lava flow into Grindavik, report RUV.
Víðir Reynisson, head of Civil Defence highlighted the importance of saving the machinery to the broadcaster, saying it was needed to build other defence structures around the country.
He insisted the protection of human lives was their biggest priority and the successful mission did not endanger workers.
Where is the lava flowing?
Sadly for Grindavik residents, the lava is flowing quickly towards town.
“We’re basically just looking at the fact that there’s lava flowing on both sides of the defensive wall. There is a volcanic fissure that has opened up inside it. Lava is flowing a few hundred meters north of the town, this is 400 to 500 meters. Lava flows towards Grindavík,” Kristín Jónsdóttir from the Icelandic Meteorological Office told RUV.
According to the meteorologist the lava will take just hours to reach the town,
Iceland Eruption
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2ljZWxhbmQtdm9sY2Fuby1lcnVwdGlvbi10b2RheS1ncmluZGF2aWstbGF0ZXN0LW5ld3MtYjI0NzgzNzkuaHRtbNIBAA?oc=5
2024-01-14 12:40:38Z
CBMicmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2ljZWxhbmQtdm9sY2Fuby1lcnVwdGlvbi10b2RheS1ncmluZGF2aWstbGF0ZXN0LW5ld3MtYjI0NzgzNzkuaHRtbNIBAA
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar