Volcanic eruption in Iceland: now a crater is forming

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During a volcanic eruption in Iceland, a kind of crater seems to gradually form. Icelandic radio’s live stream from the site of the eruption on Wednesday showed red-hot lava bubbling up, especially from a crater-like vent. The photos did not show whether this was the only current eruption site.

The weather authority Vedurstofa also reported something similar: “Lava is now flowing from a crater northeast of Litli-Hrútur,” the authority wrote on its website. However, she warned that new fissures or craters could soon form in the area.

First fissure eruption, now craters

The volcanic eruption began Monday in the immediate vicinity of Mount Litli-Hrútur on the Reykjanes Peninsula southwest of the capital Reykjavik. Like previous eruptions in the area, it was announced in August 2022 and before that in March 2021 with thousands of earthquakes, some of them strong.

Initially, the glowing red lava flowed to the surface from a canyon hundreds of meters long. In such a fissure eruption, the lava does not shoot up from a classical volcanic mountain, but flows from a longitudinal crack in the earth.

Gas formation warning

Just like after the 2021 and 2022 eruptions, the Icelandic authorities have now opened up the area to volcano enthusiasts and hikers. Access is only open from the southern Sudurstrandarvégur road, police said. The walk is about 20 kilometers there and back and therefore not suitable for everyone.

It is also important to remember that this is a dangerous area where conditions can change suddenly. There was also a warning about gas formation. According to the RÚV radio station, about 3,000 people have made their way to see the natural spectacle live on site. (SDA)

Source: Blick