Iceland volcano erupts violently, lava flows to town's defensive walls

Dramatic videos and images from the scene show streams of red-hot lava shooting into the air along a 3.4-kilometer-long fissure near Mount Hagafell on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. Scientists say the eruption was more powerful than previous eruptions in the area because more magma had accumulated.

A volcano erupts in Grindavík, Iceland, on May 29. Photo: AP

The eruption began at around 1pm local time on May 29 after an earthquake at the Sundhnúks crater. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (Met) had previously warned that a volcanic eruption was possible following “intense seismic activity” at the crater and the buildup of magma in its underground reservoir.

According to Met, the lava flow has cut off two of the three roads leading to the town of Grindavík and continues to move along the defensive wall built to protect the town and vital infrastructure from destruction.

"Lava is flowing outside the defensive walls at Grindavík in some places and it has also started flowing outside the walls at Svartsengi," said police officer Víðir Reynisson from the Icelandic Civil Defense Agency.

"The houses in the western and furthest parts of the town would have been submerged by lava without the defensive walls, but they are still holding," Mr Reynisson added.

Grindavík, a town of about 3,000 people, was mostly evacuated before the previous eruption in December. Residents and emergency responders who remained in the town were encouraged to leave as soon as possible, but three residents refused to evacuate.

The volcanic eruption is seen from a helicopter over the Reykjanes Peninsula, May 29. Photo: Anadolu

Kristinn Harðarsonar, production manager at energy company HS Orka, said the electricity in Grindavík was cut off on May 29 as a protective measure after lava flow hit high-voltage power lines and underground heating and cooling pipes.

The eruption has caused no disruption to international or domestic flights, Iceland's foreign ministry said. But the country's popular geothermal spa and tourist hotspot, the Blue Lagoon, has been evacuated for the third time in just over two months, according to its manager.

Less than an hour's drive from Iceland's capital Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nui-lua-iceland-phun-trao-manh-dung-nham-tran-toi-thi-tran-post297459.html