The levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are rising in the vicinity of Grindavik due to the ongoing volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland. The gas pollution has reached unhealthy levels, as reported by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO).
Authorities in Iceland have deployed at least 12 water cannons on the L3 defense wall to cool a 360 m (X feet) large section of lava and protect critical infrastructure, including the Svartsengi geothermal facility and the Njarðvíkuraeð hot water pipeline, which is important for the Suðurnesj region. Initial testing on one pump was successful, and the operation will begin with six eastern cannons, followed by the remaining units. The cooling process is expected to take several days.
Lava from a nearby volcanic flow consumed the entire parking lot of Blue Lagoon geothermal spa resort in Grindavik, Iceland, at 14:00 local time on November 21, 2024.
A new volcanic fissure opened up between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell, near the town of Grindavík, Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, at 23:14 local time (LT) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. This marked the year’s seventh eruption in this region.
With the end of October, uplift and magma accumulation continued steadily in Iceland’s Svartsengi volcanic region, increasing the likelihood of an intrusion or possible eruption toward late November. Seismic activity near the Sundhnúkar crater remains low, with only minor daily tremors recorded.
The Svartsengi volcanic system in southwest Iceland is showing increased volcanic activity due to magma accumulation beneath the surface. Magma is moving into shallow chambers, causing ground uplift and seismic activity. In recent days, seismic activity has slightly increased, with around five minor daily earthquakes along the dike, the most prominent being M1.5, indicating growing pressure.
The Icelandic Met Office reports ongoing magma accumulation and land rise in Svartsengi, indicating a heightened risk for intensified volcanic activity or the formation of new fissures in the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The ongoing eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, starting March 16, 2024, continues to pose a threat as lava from the Sundhnúkur crater row thickens near Grindavík. Extrusion rates have remained consistent at 3 – 4 m3/s (106 – 141 ft3/s), with new data anticipated to further assess the situation.
The eruption that began in Reykjanes Peninsula on March 16, 2024, continues at stable levels. However, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has been detecting very unhealthy levels of sulfur dioxide pollution over the past couple of days. Residents are urged to follow instructions provided by the Environment Agency of Iceland and the Office of the National Medical Examiner.
A fissure eruption that started on Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland on March 16, 2024, continues at a fairly constant rate, with an average lava flow from the craters of about 14.5 m3 per second (512 feet3/s) from March 17 to 20. About 700 people at the Blue Lagoon spa and several in the town of Grindavík were evacuated within a 30-minute period after the start of the eruption.
