A volcano has erupted spectacularly in southwest Iceland – a month after giant cracks opened up close by.
Lava is flowing away from the one city within the space and there are indicators the depth is diminishing, giving hope the impression could possibly be minimised. But it is not over but.
Is it protected to go to Iceland?
Travelling to the nation continues to be thought of protected.
The eruption is confined to the Reykjanes peninsula within the southwest, leaving the overwhelming majority of the nation unaffected.
Incredible footage reveals spewing lava – reside updates
As lengthy as travellers keep away from the speedy neighborhood of the eruption, such because the city of Grindavik, the chance is extraordinarily low.
“The eruption does not present a threat to life,” mentioned the Icelandic authorities.
The UK Foreign Office says on the gov.uk web site that individuals ought to avoid the affected space, and guests “are advised to check for latest updates”.
However, there could possibly be some air pollution blowing over the capital Reykjavik, about 18miles away, within the coming hours – so it is price checking the most recent state of affairs if you are going to town within the subsequent few days.
“According to the weather forecast, gas pollution could be noticed in the capital area late tonight or in the morning,” mentioned the nation’s meteorological workplace on Tuesday.
“New work is being done on a hazard assessment card and it will be issued later today.”
Are flights disrupted?
Previous eruptions at a unique volcano in Iceland, Eyjafjallajokull, brought on enormous disruption to European air journey in 2010.
Ash air pollution drifted throughout the continent and 1000’s of flights have been grounded for days.
But specialists say the present eruption is of a unique sort, and there are not any reviews of issues thus far.
“This type of eruption doesn’t generally produce much ash, which is what tends to ground planes,” mentioned Matthew Watson, professor of volcanoes and local weather on the University of Bristol.
The Icelandic authorities mentioned on Tuesday there have been no flights disrupted to or from the island and “international flight corridors remain open”.
National airline Icelandair – which flies to the UK – mentioned its operations weren’t affected and that the principle worldwide airport, Keflavik, was additionally working as regular.
“We’re monitoring the situation closely and will inform our passengers of any new developments,” it mentioned.
It pointed on the market are at present 40 volcanoes erupting all over the world with out considerably affecting air visitors.
Isavia, the agency that runs the island’s airports, struck the same tone and mentioned Keflavik and Reykjavik airports have been each unaffected.
However, it really useful passengers examine their flight schedule on the airports’ web site earlier than flying, simply in case.
How many individuals have been evacuated?
The solely city close to the eruption is the fishing city of Grindavik and its roughly 4,000 residents have been evacuated final month when giant cracks opened up.
One of Iceland’s hottest points of interest, the Blue Lagoon thermal spa, can also be close by and has been closed for weeks.
It was predicted that an eruption was probably at any time, but it surely’s taken a month for it to occur – with lava and smoke lastly spewing out, as much as 100m within the air, on Monday evening.
Officials say it is unclear how lengthy it should all go on for.
“It could potentially go on for several months, it could also just stop later today or tomorrow,” mentioned Halldor Geirson, affiliate professor on the institute of earth sciences on the University of Iceland.
Read extra:
Eruption might not be short-lived – we have now to let nature take its course
What is occurring below the floor?
Source: information.sky.com”