Volcanic eruption starts just northwest of Litli Hrutur, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
After 6 days of intense seismicity between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, a new volcanic eruption started just northwest of Litli Hrutur at around 16:40 UTC on July 10, 2023.
The announcement has been made by the Icelandic Met Office (IMO).
“From first estimates, there is a 200 m (656 feet) long fissure oriented approximately northeast-southwest on the eastern and northeastern slopes of Litli Hrútur from which lava is emerging as a series of fountains,” IMO said.
As of 18:30 UTC, the eruption was occurring in a small depression and lava was flowing to the south, while gas and steam emissions were drifting to the northwest.
The eruption is in an uninhabited region, so there are no immediate risks to communities or infrastructure.
With the development of the eruption presently unclear, IMO is advising the public not to attempt to visit the eruption area as dangerously high levels of volcanic gases will accumulate close to the eruption site.
During the prelude to the eruption, IMO scientists became aware of increasing levels of tremor at a seismic station at Fagradalsfjall. Episodes of heightened tremor occurred on 8 and 9 July, and again today in the hours before the eruption broke the surface. Similar periods of tremor were noted just ahead of similar eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in 2021 and 2022.
Read more about events leading to this eruption:
Live view of the eruption, as of 17:32 UTC on July 10:
Featured image credit: MBI
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