Photos: Iceland volcano erupts again with stunning lava fountains

Meteorological Office said late Thursday that the eruption had decreased significantly

Published: February 09, 2024 16:00 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from Bloomberg, AP

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A volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland appears to have subsided, though scientists are warning that the area may experience further eruptions in the coming months. Image Credit: Reuters

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Iceland’s Meteorological Office said late Thursday that the eruption had decreased significantly. Image Credit: AP

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The eruption began at about 6am local time on Thursday in the area northeast of Mount Sýlingarfell, the Met Office said. Image Credit: AP

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It prompted the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon thermal spa and cut off heat and hot water to several communities on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern corner of the island. Image Credit: AFP

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Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said authorities hope to restore hot water to the area by midday on Friday, national broadcaster RUV reported. Image Credit: AFP

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Benedikt Ófeigsson, a geophysicist at the Icelandic Met Office, told RUV that the area can expect an eruption every month or so over the next few months. Image Credit: AFP

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“In the long term, it’s very difficult to say, but in the short term, the next months, we will probably continue to see repeated magma intrusions and eruptions,’’ he said. Image Credit: AP

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The Reykjanes peninsula had lain dormant for about 800 years until seismic activity started in 2020. Image Credit: AP

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There have since been six eruptions, including the current one. The first three eruptions that occurred from 2021 were in uninhabited areas and posed little risk to people and infrastructure. Image Credit: AFP

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Iceland is one of the most geologically active places on earth due to its position between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates on the mid-Atlantic ridge. It has about 30 volcanic systems and more than 600 hot springs. Image Credit: AFP

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