Current:Home > ContactWatch Live: "Explosive" Iceland volcano eruption shoots lava across roads and sends pollution toward the capital -Secure Horizon Growth
Watch Live: "Explosive" Iceland volcano eruption shoots lava across roads and sends pollution toward the capital
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:54:13
For the fifth time since December, a volcanic eruption is underway in southwest Iceland. The Icelandic Met Office said that the eruption started Wednesday after hundreds of earthquakes were recorded in recent days, with the eruption quickly becoming "explosive."
As of Thursday morning, the latest eruption had resulted in a nearly two-mile-long fissure that was spewing "considerable lava fountaining." The Met Office said that lava has been flowing "vigorously" from the fissure and has gone over roads towards the volcanic Þorbjörn. That mountain sits outside the small fishing village of Grindavík that has seen evacuations, cracked roads and homes swallowed up by lava flows in previous eruptions in the past half-year.
The eruption came after hundreds of earthquakes rattled the area over several days. Late last week, the Met Office reported that roughly 140 earthquakes had been detected in just two days, although all were small. The weekend before that saw another 200 earthquakes, also small.
"Explosive activity began when the magma came into contact with groundwater where a lava flows into a fissure by Hagafell," the office said. "The magma causes the water to be quickly converted into gaseous state (steam), causing steam explosions and tephra fall (ash). There is considerable uncertainty regarding the amount of gases from the eruption site."
The Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist destination known for its geothermal spa, has temporarily shut down because of the eruption, saying it was evacuated and will remain closed until at least Friday.
"Over the past few months, we have been reminded of the powers of nature and how they inevitably influence us all," the Blue Lagoon announcement says. "During this time of seismic activity, we have had to temporarily close our operations but have remained in close contact with Icelandic authorities and acted in accordance with set precautions and measures in the area."
Forecasters believe that winds on Thursday will blow gases from the eruption to the east, sending polluting particles toward the northeast of the island nation. Sulfur dioxide gas, which can lead to acid rain and air pollution, could be detected as far as the capital city of Reykjavik, about 25 miles away.
The last eruption in the area in March sent sulfur dioxide emissions to continental Europe, where they reached as far as Russia.
- In:
- Air Pollution
- Volcano
- Iceland
- Eruption
Li Cohen is a senior social media producer at CBS News. She previously wrote for amNewYork and The Seminole Tribune. She mainly covers climate, environmental and weather news.
TwitterveryGood! (84)
Related
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- American tourist found dead on Greek island Mathraki, 3 other tourists missing
- Wells Fargo rolled out a new credit card you can use to pay rent. Is it a money-loser?
- American tourist found dead on Greek island Mathraki, 3 other tourists missing
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Justin Timberlake arrested on DWI charges in the Hamptons, reports say
- Convicted killer of California college student Kristin Smart ordered to pay $350k in restitution
- Israeli military says it will begin a daily tactical pause to allow for humanitarian aid into southern Gaza
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Kylie Jenner and Son Aire Let Their Singing Voices Shine in Adorable Video
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- RHOBH's PK Kemsley Shares Sobriety Journey Milestone Amid Dorit Kemsley Breakup
- Judge orders BNSF to pay Washington tribe nearly $400 million for trespassing with oil trains
- Taylor Swift marks 100th show of Eras Tour: 'Feels truly deranged to say'
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- On Father's Day, I realize my son helps me ask for the thing I need: A step to healing
- GOP contest between Bob Good and John McGuire highlights primary slate in Virginia
- Summer spectacle: Earliest solstice in 228 years coming Thursday
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Should solo moms celebrate Father's Day? These parents weigh in on the social media debate
Where is Voyager 1 now? Repairs bring space probe back online as journey nears 50 years
What College World Series games are on Tuesday? Two teams will be eliminated
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Mbappé suffers facial injury in France’s 1-0 win against Austria at Euro 2024
Bachelor Nation’s Rachel Lindsay Shares the Advice She Received From Tia Mowry After Bryan Abasolo Split
Justin Timberlake Released From Custody After DWI Arrest