Eruption in Iceland near Reykjavík – Updates on Ash, Lava & More

All Things Iceland

The fissure eruption in Iceland that so many people have been anticipating happened last night on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Fagradalsfjall and is called Geldingadalsgos. In this video I specifically go over all the updates about the eruption so far.

This includes when the eruption started, what authorities are saying about the ash expected, gas emission, lava flow, safety for those in the surrounding area, how long this might go on. I also teach you how to say the name of the eruption, and give some insight on how people are reacting here. I have a link to the live stream of the eruption in the description box and the news articles I am referencing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT4LhCYiBX8

What has happened since the eruption in Iceland

When the eruption at around 9:40 PM on March 19th, 2021, it was reported that there were hundred-meter tall fountains of lava but those are no longer visible

There is little to no ash production. I know many were concerned about that because of what happened in 2010. When I interviewed Ari Trausti Gudmundsson, a geologist in Iceland about this he said that the reason that little to no ash is expected is because the predicted eruption would happen in an area where there isn’t a large source of water.

Also, there is minimal gas emissions. If you are near the eruption, like literally next to it and in the path of the wind, you would be in danger. However, the neighboring towns like Grindavik are fine. The night of eruption, authorities did tell people in Þórlakshöfn, which is a nearby town to shut their windows and turn off their radiators just in the case the wind pushed gas toward them.

The images and videos of the volcanic eruption are from the Icelandic newspaper RÚV (ruv.is)

A Little & Beautiful Eruption

I think it is very telling that the Civil Protection agency is calling this a “little and beautiful eruption”

So safety wise, we are all safe and that is expected to continue but technically it could change but like I said, that doesn’t seem likely

“It is on the scale of one to two kilometres, not much longer than that, the lava flows and fissure

They think that the lava will not flow over a very wide area and will probably just get thicker

Because the eruption is small many Icelanders are calling it a cute or poor little thing. We’ve all been glued to the news and it is so fascinating to see

At first authorities have asked people to stay away but later on they gave advice about how to safely access the eruption by foot. On the night of the eruption, there was a stream of cars heading toward the eruption. And I saw some people on the live stream waving to the camera. While this specific area is closed off, the rest of the Reykjanes Peninsula is open.

Authorities are still monitoring the area because another fissure could open up. Also, Ari Trausti said in our interview that this could be the beginning of more volcanic activity, but for now that has not happening.

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