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LIVE – Volcano in Iceland: Eruption hits town of Grindavik, houses on fire

A new volcano erupted on January 14 in southwest Iceland.
The explosion affected the neighboring village of Grindavik, where several houses caught fire.
Follow the latest information.

Warning reported

Following the announcement of a new explosion, Icelandic Civil Defense decided to raise the threat level in the area to “urgent”.

“Protect Infrastructures”

On the social network X, the Icelandic president shared an aerial view of the explosion, confirming that “measures are being taken to protect the infrastructure”.

“Same strength for about an hour”

In its latest weather report, the IMO said the current eruption “remained at the same strength for about an hour.” With new fissures from which lava flows have reached Grindavik, “existing faults and fractures have been reactivated and possibly new fractures formed” in the town.

Presidential Speech

Following the new explosion in Iceland, President Gudni Johannesson is due to speak at 8pm local time or 9pm in Paris, according to public broadcaster RUV. Before this speech, the ministerial coordination committee meets at 5 pm in Iceland or 6 pm in Paris.

A deserted house

According to the city of Grindavik, the first house to catch fire from the lava flow was uninhabited. The owner couple lived elsewhere in the city, in a house that itself was badly damaged by the November earthquake.

An explosion to follow

Icelandic media RUV has installed a webcam to follow the progress of the new lava flow live.

Two houses on fire

From a new fissure that appeared at midday, lava flowed that reached Grindavik, photographed below. Two houses caught fire after coming in contact with the current.

On this Sunday, January 14, 2024, following a new volcanic eruption near Grindavik, a lava flow reached the town, burning two houses.
Following a new volcanic eruption near Grindavik, a lava flow reached the town, burning two houses, this Sunday, January 14, 2024. – Halldor Kolbins / AFP

informed

Despite the dykes built to protect the town, the flow continues unabated towards Grindavik. “We don’t know when it will stop or if it will save the city,” says a French guide at the site. A report can be found in the following article.

International

video - "We don't know if he will save the city" : A new volcano erupts in southwest Iceland

Fifth eruption in three years

This is the fifth volcano to erupt in Iceland in about three years. An earlier one occurred in the same area on the evening of 18 December, located about forty kilometers southwest of the capital Reykjavík. These numerous eruptions are a signal to volcanologists for a resumption of volcanic activity in the region.

Planes can still travel

“Flights are not interrupted,” the president said in a message on the social network.

Two cracks

According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), the eruption started around 8am north of Grindavik. The first crack was made “on either side of the defenses being built north of Grindavik” about 450 meters from the town.

At noon, the IMO announced that “a new fissure has opened just outside the city limits of Grindavik.” This is what reached Grindavik, causing both houses to burn down. For the mayor of Grindavik, Fannar Jónasson, the new crack “creates a new situation” but “there is nothing we can do”, considering the situation alarming.

Aerial photos of Coolies

Icelandic media RUV published aerial photos of the lava flow, including lava reaching Grindavik.

Two houses caught fire

According to surveillance footage broadcast by public television, an ongoing volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland has reached the port of Grindavik and two houses caught fire after being hit by lava. Last night, a few hours before the start of the eruption, several dozen residents who had resettled in late December in Grindavik were evacuated.

A new volcano erupted north of the town of Grindavik in Iceland on the morning of Sunday January 14. It follows an earlier eruption in December in the same region in the country’s southwest, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO). According to Icelandic media, it was during the night from Saturday to Sunday that the earthquake activity increased sharply, leading to the rapid evacuation of 4,000 residents of Grindavik around 3 p.m.

Volcanic eruption, Iceland, December 2023
Volcanic Eruption, Iceland, December 2023 – Vogur, Iceland

Fourth eruption in two years

In fact, in December, scientists could not say whether the eruption was definitely behind them. “Volcanic activity appears to have stopped late last night or early morning”The public agency indicated in a press release on December 22, while adding: “Despite this, it is possible that the lava is flowing down, in closed channels and so it cannot be said that the eruption is over.”

The explosion, the fourth in two years, occurred on the evening of December 18. The event was triggered by a series of earthquakes, which were recorded three kilometers from Grindavik. The city was evacuated on 11 November following a significant accumulation of magma.


QC with AFP

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