– One of the smallest we have seen – VG

Former NTNU professor Børge Johannes Wigum (58) lives in Reykjavik and follows the eruption at Fagradalsfjall southwest of the capital from hour to hour.

– Am I disappointed? Both and. It is always a bit of a mixed joy to experience outbursts, and I have been to several. But no one wants there to be damage to people or infrastructure.

The geologist thinks many Icelanders hoped they would see more from Reykjavik. But the mountain and the gray weather hide the eruption. All that is to be seen was a pink tinge on the clouds.

Less than expected

Meteorological Institute in Iceland states that the outbreak is significantly smaller than expected.

– One of the smallest eruptions we have seen, says the geophysicist Páll Einarsson Rúv.

The crack where magma from the earth’s interior flows out is estimated to be about 200 meters long. From four small craters flow streams of glowing lava that solidify on the ground.

The lava is estimated to be up to ten meters thick and covers less than a square kilometer in Geldingadalur. Because the eruption occurs in a valley depression, the lava flow will not escape.

– Real tourist outbreak

– It’s like a leak in a bathtub, says geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson to Rúv.

Hundreds of spectators set off on Saturday towards Fagradalsfjall, barely five kilometers inland from the south coast of Reykjanes and midway between Keflavik and Reykjavik.

– It is a real tourist eruption, says Þorvaldur Þórðarson, professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland to Morgunblaðið.

Børge Johannes Wigum was tempted, but gave up.

– The weather is sour and cold and there are many hours to go each way, says the geologist.

Fog and sleet made it impossible to see anything special from the surrounding hills. The volcanic area is not closed, but the police warn against getting too close.

Hazardous sulfur gases

Chief of Police at the Civil Defense Víðir Reynisson points out that the lava flow can change quickly and that the sulfur gases that are released can be dangerous to inhale.

Aviation runs as normal and the main road to Keflavik airport is open, but the road to Grindavik on the south coast and small roads inland on Reykjanes are closed.

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The scientific the Council for Civil Protection warns against going too close to the eruption:

• New cracks can suddenly open up at the volcanoes.
• The craters, which have become many meters high, can break and send lava flows in new directions.
• Explosions can occur and blow red-hot lava in many directions.
• Life-threatening gases can accumulate in depressions in the terrain.

Probably short-lived outbreak

– It is probably a short-lived outbreak, when it starts so carefully, Wigum says.

The Meteorological Institute and geophysicists in Iceland believe the eruption will last days or weeks.

Earthquakes in recent weeks have contributed to the continental plates that meet on Reykjanes slipping apart. A seven-kilometer-long underground magma crack has formed.

– It does not take much extra effort to open larger areas, says Wigum.

So far, the volcanic eruption has released the energy in the earth’s crust.

– The earthquake activity, which has been troublesome for many in the last three weeks, will probably decrease considerably, says the Norwegian geologist.

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A new era may have begun

But it is not certain that the drama is almost over.

It started small on Eyjafjallajökull exactly eleven years ago. A few weeks later, the eruption came with ash clouds that paralyzed air traffic in large parts of Northern Europe.

– The Krafla outbreaks in northern Iceland also started nicely and neatly, but over the next nine years there were nine outbreaks in total, points out Børge Johannes Wigum.

The previous eruption on Reykjanes took place in Snorre Sturlasson’s time, in the 13th century.

– A new period of eruptions may have begun, says geophysicist Guðmundsson.

Wigum believes that a new era of volcanic eruptions on Reykjanes is not unlikely.

– So hope is not out?

– No. There are certainly opportunities.

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