A lava flow as a bloodstream is currently running through Iceland’s heart. Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, recently experienced a new volcanic eruption, causing red lava to rise from underground and flow like a river over the ground. European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite captured images of the scene, showing the red stream extending 4.5 kilometers west of the crater, and the crater’s smoke plumes moving towards the Atlantic Ocean. A state of emergency has been declared in Iceland due to this event.
Scientists explain that Iceland is located in the volcanic zone, lying at the intersection of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which are gradually moving away from each other, causing the lava flow to come up through the ground. There are over 100 volcanoes in Iceland, of which about 30 are active.
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On February 8, a new eruption occurred, marking the third one in the last three months, according to the Meteorological Department of Iceland. However, for now, the lava flow has stopped, and the situation is gradually getting better. Previously, lava eruptions were observed near Grindevik on January 14, and on December 18, 2023.
Iceland has been experiencing continuous eruptions for the past year. The first eruption occurred on July 10 last year, after an earthquake. Little-Hruttur volcano, also known as Little-Ram, occasionally erupts south of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, covering large areas of basalt rock with lava. The eruption created a 2.7 km wide fissure in the ground, through which lava flows began to flow, with loud explosions heard from the volcano. Despite occasional breaks, Iceland is still not free from this situation, and it is predicted that lava will continue to erupt in the next few months.