The Icelandic Meteorological Office has warned of an eruption “in the coming days.”
Volcanoes have always fascinated us. Once revered as the abodes of the gods, some bring forth diamonds from the depths of the earth. But they also spit lava, shake the earth, unleash towering walls of water and repaint the world’s skies. And these days, Iceland’s volcanoes are erupting more than usual.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office on Tuesday issued a warning, bracing the country for an imminent eruption “in the coming days.” This would be the eighth eruption since March 2021, which includes the awakening of a rugged, volcanic region in its southwestern parts that had been dormant for eight centuries.
“We’re going through a volcanic crisis,” said Matthew J. Roberts, the managing director of the Icelandic Meteorological Office. “This is perhaps the most intense period of volcanic activity affecting an urban environment at the moment.” Officials are now further restricting access to the likely eruption site, he said.
The latest episode began on May 29, when a volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted for the fourth time since December. More people had to move from Grindavik, a fishing town of 4,000 that has largely been abandoned since January after lava and earthquakes from previous eruptions split the town in two.
But how normal are these eruptions? Will it get worse? And could it affect summer air travel in Europe? The New York Times spoke to several experts to provide answers.