A volcanic eruption has started by Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes peninsula. Grindavík residents noticed a red glare in the sky above the area where the magma movement has been detected for the past few weeks.
Expert at the Icelandic Met Office Bjarki Kaldalóns Friis confirms that a volcanic eruption has begun. People have been calling the Met office to notify them of the red glare lighting up the sky, some volcanic tremor was detected and satellite images confirm that an eruption has started. The Icelandic Coast Guard‘s helicopter is on its way to the area and experts are being called up to the Met Office.
Updated 22.43 – Roads in the Reykjanes Peninsula have closed and people are asked to refrain from trying to see the eruption. The eruption is occurring far from inhabited areas but air traffic has been halted temporarily while the Icelandic Met Office prepares its ashfall prediction, which will likely take about 40 minutes. Geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson told RÚV it looks like the eruption is a small one.
Updated 22.57 – The Icelandic Met Office has released this map showing the likely origin of the eruption, in Geldingadalur valley just east of mt. Fagradalsfjall.
Updated 23.05 – Residents of Þorlákshöfn are asked to close windows as the wind direction might carry toxic gases towards the south coast town. This is a precautionary measure.
Updated 23.15 – The first aerial image of the volcanic eruption taken from the Icelandic Coast Guard Helicopter. The southern end of the lava flow is around 2.6 km from the road across the southern end of the peninsula. Experts’ first estimate is that the fissure is around 500 m long.
Updated 23.29 – The Icelandic Met Office has released footage from the eruption, taken from the Icelandic Coast Guard Helicopter. Drone traffic is now banned in the area.
Updated 23.40 – Víðir Reynisson told RÚV that Keflavík Airport is open and planes have been landing and taking off without issues.
Updated 23.58 – Iceland Review received this image of the eruption glare seen from Ásbrú in Keflavík. According to the Met Office, the lava seems to flow slowly south by southwest and west of the fissure.
This article will be updated.
Read more on the Reykjanes Peninsula geography
