Iceland's Volcanic Eruption Could Be a Long Hauler 25 March 2021, by Jeremie Richard

Iceland's volcanic eruption could be a long hauler 25 March 2021, by Jeremie Richard

weekend drawn hordes of curious onlookers to the Geldingadalur valley, eager to catch a rare, first- hand glimpse of the hypnotic display of bubbling orange-red molten rock.

Grilled sausages and marshmallows

The authorities block access only sporadically in case of bad weather or high levels of toxic gas emissions.

According to preliminary calculations, the magma emerging from the volcano is almost 1,190 degrees Celsius (2,170 degrees Farenheit).

Daredevil spectators have grilled sausages, bacon and marshmallows on the hot lava as it cools to basalt rock

A volcanic eruption in Iceland has transformed a tranquil green valley into an ominous-looking scene, its first dark secrets beginning to emerge as volcanologists suggest the eruption could last longer than previously thought.

Experts had initially predicted that the eruption of the fissure near Mount Fagradalsfjall, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the capital Reykjavik, would be brief, likely dying out after a few days. Authorities sporadically block access in case of bad But due to the constancy of the lava flow and weather or high levels of toxic gas emissions based on the first analyses of the magma, they now suspect the eruption could be a long-hauler.

"The eruption rate has been similar since the Daredevil spectators who hike 90 minutes from the beginning of the eruption" on March 19, Freysteinn nearest road have grilled sausages, bacon and Sigmundsson, a geophysicist at the Institute of marshmallows on the hot lava as it cools to basalt Earth Sciences, told AFP. rock.

"We have started to wonder if it may eventually be A scientific study of the freshly-minted basalt a long duration eruption." suggests that the magma has come from deep within the Earth's mantle, around 15 kilometres The relatively controlled lava flow has since the (nine miles) beneath the surface.

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Magma from a source this deep has not been seen While Iceland has more active volcanoes than any in this region for thousands of years, Sigmundsson other country in Europe, the Reykjanes peninsula said. has not experienced an eruption since the 13th century. "Most magmas make their way to the crust by creating their own lineals, by evolving. This magma The last one lasted about 30 years, from 1210 to is coming straight up," explained volcanologist 1240. Thorvaldur Thordarson. A reawakening of the sector could signal the And more importantly, the underground lava flow is beginning of a new period "which may last similar to the one being seen above ground, centuries with eruptions, possibly 10 years to 100 suggesting the eruption could be protracted, he years apart," according to University of Iceland said. geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson.

"In a system where the inflow is the same as the The region is already popular with tourists for its outflow, you can keep that (going) for a long time." famed Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

"In my view, this eruption has potential to sustain The first signs of renewed seismic activity in the itself for quite a long time," he said. region appeared a little more than a year ago, before intensifying about a month ago—an indication that the magma was nearing the surface.

Experts say the volcano's location in a an uninhabited natural basin means a lengthy eruption poses no significant danger Preliminary calculations put the temperature of the magma emerging from the volcano at almost 1,190 degrees Celsius (2,170 Fahrenheit)

Because of the location of the eruption—a natural basin in an uninhabited area—experts said a lengthy eruption poses no significant danger to surrounding The eruption, located about a dozen kilometres areas. from the closest town, the Grindavik fishing port, has grown more spectacular by the day. Flowing at its current rate, it would take weeks for the lava to reach the closest road, they said. The magma spewing out of a crack in the ground has formed small hills over the past week as it Eye on toxic emissions cools, creating two vents ejecting the lava, the

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biggest one measuring 20 metres.

The site is relatively safe for visitors, although the authorities are keeping a close eye on toxic emissions.

According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, sulphur dioxide levels—which can pose a danger to health and even be fatal—can at times exceed 9,000 microgrammes per cubic metre at the scene, or 450 times the World Health Organization's recommended 24-hour average exposure limit.

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