Iceland violent volcanic flare-up triggers state of emergency
Southern Iceland has been placed under a state of emergency following yet another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the fourth eruption since December.
The eruption unleashed powerful and rapid lava flows beginning late Saturday, although the flows have been characterised as “slow and steady” since Sunday morning, according to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO).
Lava has advanced to the eastern defences near the mostly evacuated town of Grindavik. Additionally, the IMO reported that the lava is within 200 meters (650 feet) of the water pipe serving the region.
This distribution pipe is near the Svartsengi power plant, a geothermal facility responsible for supplying hot water to much of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
