Impressive video from a helicopter showing the large eruption just NE of Grindavik, #Iceland. @shaksper #IcelandVolcano #Reykjanes #volcano pic.twitter.com/RZ16WknTwN
— Seismix (@SeismixGeo) December 18, 2023
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:15am on 19 Dec 2023,Tuesday Weather & Environment
The Icelandic Met Office confirmed the volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland, stating, "An eruption has started on the Reykjanes peninsula... about 3 km north of Grindavik." The eruption commenced at 22:17 following an earlier earthquake swarm. Unverified data suggests the triggering quake was a magnitude 4.2. A livestream displayed a fiery spectacle, with magma shooting into the sky. Volcanologist Þorvald Þórðarson noted, "There are super-high plumes of magma... the highest plumes are probably 150 metres. This may be close to the worst case imaginable. Unfortunately." The situation remains uncertain as experts monitor the volcanic activity. In response to escalating seismic activity, authorities evacuated Grindavik and has temporarily closed the Blue Lagoon spa. [Video: @shaksper on X]
