Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, dormant for nearly 800 years, is showing signs of a significant reawakening, with recent volcanic activity raising concerns and global interest. Earlier this month, a volcanic eruption sent molten lava flowing into the town of Grindavik, forcing local residents to evacuate and destroying numerous homes.
According to Dave McGarvie, a volcanologist and researcher at the UK’s Lancaster University, this marks the fifth eruption on the peninsula since 2021, signaling the start of a new cycle of volcanic activity. “It seems to be a reawakening of this volcanic zone in southwest Iceland, called the Reykjanes Peninsula,” he told CGTN Europe. “It’s been dormant for about 800 years, 781 to be precise. During that period, there’s been occasional earthquakes, some offshore eruptions, but nothing on land.”
McGarvie noted a series of intense earthquakes in 2020 that released vast amounts of seismic energy, leading up to the first recent eruption in 2021. Subsequent eruptions followed in 2022 and 2023, culminating in the latest volcanic activity. “We had a bit of a gap, and then we had a completely new volcanic system awakening,” he added.
The resurgence of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula has implications beyond Iceland’s borders. The potential for prolonged eruptions could affect global air travel, climate patterns, and serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our planet’s geology. Regions in Asia with their own volcanic landscapes may look to Iceland’s experience for insights into monitoring and managing volcanic hazards.
Reference(s):
'Iceland's volcanoes could erupt for centuries' says UK volocanologist
cgtn.com
