The scene is each spectacular and dangerous: flowing rivers of shimmering lava and a dramatic plume of toxic gas.
That image has been the truth for much of the past 4 months on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, which the country’s tourism website has called “a geological wonder where there are more lighthouses than villages.”
A series of volcanic eruptions began in December after a whole lot of earthquakes shook the peninsula, opening a fissure that spewed lava into residential neighborhoods for the primary time in greater than 4 many years. Since then, the volcanic system has erupted several more times.
Grindavik, a fishing town of greater than 3,500 people about 50 miles southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, was evacuated and the nearby Blue Lagoon, a preferred geothermal spa, has been largely closed since early November.
While many of the life takes place in the remaining of Iceland, the eruptions have had an impact beyond the peninsula, disrupting the country’s tourism business, which relies heavily on tourists.
Islandair said it had seen a negative impact on bookings resulting from the specter of eruptions. While the airline’s overall variety of passengers in February was up in comparison with last yr, the airline said the variety of flights to Iceland was down 8 percent.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the national weather service, although eruptions are still ongoing, the situation is “stable” this week. However, the service reported that lava was still flowing from three craters towards Grindavik.
Eruptions also cause high levels of gas pollution. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the air are “very unhealthy,” based on the Met Office, which added that “people may experience respiratory symptoms if exposed.”
Blue Lagoon, a spa complex and hotel in Grindavik, is currently closed. It first temporarily closed its doors in November after 1000’s of earthquakes, signs of an impending eruption, hit the region.
The resort opened occasionally, but has since been closed for greater than 85 days, the hotel said in an email. This is now the sixth closure since November 9.
Lava damaged several houses in Grindavik because it broke through a defensive wall that was intended to maintain it away from town.
Around town, earthquakes caused cracks in the streets. Cracks in the roads were full of gravel.
Authorities proceed to warn visitors to keep away from the eruption site. “The edges of the new lava field are unstable and large pieces of lava may suddenly fall,” the Met Office said.
