Napoletani: estote parati ! Long-dormant Iceland volcano erupts for first time in 6,000 years

Iceland volcano erupts after weeks of seismic activity

A volcanic eruption began in southwestern Iceland near the capital Reykjavik on March 19 following thousands of small earthquakes in the area in recent weeks. (Reuters)
By
Miriam Berger

The volcano in the Fagradals Mountains, 20 miles southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, had lain dormant for some 6,000 years.

That was until about 8:45 p.m. Friday in Iceland, when fountains of fiery lava began oozing out.

A volcano in Iceland's Fagradals Mountains erupts. (Icelandic Coast Guard/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

The eruption was the Reykjanes Peninsula’s first in 781 years, according to the Associated Press. But the Icelandic Meteorological Office said in a statement that it was “considered small” and there was no need to evacuate residents of the closest town, about six miles away.

“We ask people to keep away from the immediate area and stay safe.” tweeted Iceland’s prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

Authorities additionally closed down roads in the vicinity and warned residents that “gas pollution” might affect the area. Icelandic authorities said air traffic could continue as normal and flights remained on schedule.

After monitoring the volcano throughout the night, geophysicist Pall Einarsson told the Associated Press on Saturday that the eruption was continuing to die down.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said here was no need to evacuate residents of the closest town, about six miles away. (AP)

Hours after bursting through, lava had traveled about six-tenths of a mile down the mountain and covered an area around one-third of a mile wide, according to the meteorological department’s website.

The department began recording a rise in daily earthquakes and other seismic activity on the peninsula on Feb. 24. By early March, it reported that a small-scale volcanic eruption was likely to occur. Still, there was no certainty around timing: The eruption itself took scientists by surprise, the AP reported, as seismic activity had decreased slightly right before it.

Iceland experienced a far more disruptive volcanic eruption in an area called Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. That volcano spewed so much molten ash it grounded flights from Europe and impacted travel worldwide for weeks.

This time around, there was more awe than shock at what nature could do.

“YESSS !!, eruption !!" Icelandic singer Björk posted on Instagram, along with a photo from a 2015 music video shoot at the volcano site. “we in iceland are sooo excited !!! we still got it !!! sense of relief when nature expresses herself !!!”