ETH volcanologist Olivier Bachmann about the eruption near Reykjavik: “The volcanic eruption could last several weeks”

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A state of emergency has been in effect on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula since Monday evening. The Fagradalsfjall volcano, not far from the 4,000-resident village of Grindavik, has erupted. Images show lava flowing from a kilometer-long crack in the earth. Thousands of residents had to be evacuated.

Olivier Bachmann is a volcanologist at ETH Zurich and has been observing what happens in Iceland for a long time. “The Reykjanes Peninsula has been fully active since the beginning of 2021. We have been monitoring the development of these eruptions for several years,” the professor told Blick.

“When the magma hits water, it becomes explosive”

According to experts, the outbreak does not come as a surprise. A series of earthquakes has been indicating for weeks that a huge bubbling is taking place beneath the ground of Fagradalsfjall. Bachmann also confirms this: “In recent weeks there have been numerous earthquakes and ground deformations in the Grindavik and Blue Lagoon regions.”

These apparently reached their peak on Monday: the volcano spewed lava from a four-kilometer-long crack in the earth. But is the outbreak a harbinger of something bigger? The Blick expert: “The outbreak can last many days to weeks.”

Nevertheless, like the 2021, 2022 and 2023 eruptions, the eruption will likely remain largely effusive – in other words, only lava flows and lava fountains will be generated. “However, if the magma touches a body of water, it can become more explosive for a while,” says Bachmann.

It is difficult to say at this point when the situation will calm down again. “We need to monitor the development of the situation to be able to assess this better.”

Source: Blick