The scene is as spectacular as it’s harmful: flowing rivers of shimmering lava and a dramatic plume of poisonous fuel.
That picture has been the truth for a lot of the previous 4 months within the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, which the nation’s tourism web site has known as a “geological marvel the place lighthouses outnumber villages.”
A sequence of volcano eruptions started in December after tons of of earthquakes shook the peninsula, cracking open a fissure that despatched lava spewing right into a residential neighborhood for the primary time in additional than 4 a long time. The volcanic system has erupted a number of extra occasions since then.
Grindavik, a fishing city of greater than 3,500 folks about 30 miles southwest of the nation’s capital, Reykjavik, has been evacuated, and the close by Blue Lagoon, a well-liked geothermal spa, has been largely closed since early November.
Whereas a lot of life goes on in the remainder of Iceland, the eruptions have had an impact past the peninsula, disrupting the tourism operations of a rustic that depends closely on guests.
Icelandair stated it has seen a detrimental influence on bookings due to the specter of the eruptions. Whereas the general variety of passengers carried by the airline in February elevated in comparison with final yr, the quantity flying to Iceland dropped by 8 %, in keeping with the airline.
Whereas the eruptions proceed, the scenario has been “regular” this week, in keeping with the Icelandic Meteorological Workplace, the nation’s climate service. However lava continues to circulation from three craters towards Grindavik, the service stated.
The eruptions additionally produce excessive ranges of fuel air pollution. The focus of sulfur dioxide within the air is “very unhealthy,” in keeping with the Met Workplace, which added that “persons are prone to expertise respiratory signs if uncovered.”
The Blue Lagoon, a spa and lodge advanced in Grindavik, is closed in the meanwhile. It first quickly shut its doorways in November after hundreds of earthquakes, indicators of the upcoming eruption, hit the area.
The resort has reopened often, however has been closed for greater than 85 days since then, the lodge stated in an e mail. It’s at the moment on its sixth closure since Nov. 9.
Lava broken a number of homes in Grindavik when it breached a protection wall that was alleged to route it away from the city.
Across the city, earthquakes brought on cracks within the streets. Breaks within the roads have been full of gravel.
The authorities proceed to warn guests to steer clear of the eruption website. “The sides of the brand new lava area are unstable and huge chunks of lava can fall all of a sudden,” the Met Workplace stated.