jfid – Iceland, a country located between the continents of Europe and North America, is once again in the global spotlight due to a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
This eruption is the fourth since 2021 in the region, and the largest so far with a fissure length of four kilometers.
The eruption has created a spectacular sight, with lava spewing into the air and illuminating the night sky.
Many people are drawn to witness this natural phenomenon up close, including tourists, photographers, and researchers.
However, behind this beauty, there is also concern about the impact of the eruption on local residents, especially in the town of Grindavík, which is about three kilometers from the eruption site.
Grindavík is a small town with a population of about 4,000, famous for the Blue Lagoon, a hot spring pool originating from a geothermal power plant.
The town has experienced repeated earthquakes since last October, caused by magma movement underground.
In November, the Icelandic government declared a state of emergency and evacuated thousands of Grindavík residents as a precaution.
Residents of Grindavík express concern about the volcanic eruption that could threaten their safety and property.
Some of them have experienced damage to homes, roads, and other infrastructure due to earthquakes.
They also have to be prepared to face the danger of toxic gases that can be released from the eruption, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
Nevertheless, there are also Grindavík residents who feel amazed and proud of the volcanic eruption near their town.
They consider it a part of life in Iceland, known as the land of fire and ice because it has many volcanoes and glaciers.
They also hope that this eruption can boost tourism and the economy of their town, which was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Iceland is one of the most geologically active areas in the world, with about 30 active volcanoes.
This is due to its location on the boundary of tectonic plates that are constantly moving, pushing North America and Eurasia apart along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Beneath it, there is a mantle plume, an area that is hotter than the surrounding magma, which melts and thins the earth’s crust.
This condition makes Iceland often experience volcanic eruptions, which sometimes have widespread impacts, such as the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010 that disrupted flights across Europe.
The volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula is classified as a fissure eruption, which usually does not produce large explosions or ash production that spreads to the stratosphere.
Therefore, this eruption is not expected to disrupt flights to and from Iceland, and international flight corridors remain open.
However, this eruption still needs to be watched by local residents and authorities, as it can last a long time and change at any time.
