Horrifying footage reveals lava from Iceland volcano engulfing properties

Horrifying drone footage reveals scorching lava from Iceland’s volcanic eruption engulfing properties because it surrounds the fishing village of Grindavík.

The eruption started simply earlier than 8am native time on Sunday. Around noon, a second fissure over 3,000ft large and rising break up open.

The molten rock streamed in direction of properties within the northernmost tip of the village, which sits round 25 miles from county’s capital, Reykjavík.

It breached boundaries of earth and rock meant to stop the magma from reaching Grindavík, the place a number of buildings have been set ablaze.

‘According to the primary photographs from the Coast Guard’s surveillance flight, a crack has opened on each side of the defenses which have begun to be constructed north of Grindavík,’ the Icelandic Meteorological Office stated in an announcement.

The lava flows prompted an evacuation for the second time and rendered the destiny of cattle unsure. 

Video taken from an Icelandic Coastguard helicopter reveals enormous swimming pools of molten rock and a wall of flames rising into the evening sky.

Víðir Reynisson, chief supervisor of the Office of the National Commissioner of the Police, advised native media that ‘nobody goes into Grindavíkuntil we’re completely certain that it is going to be OK.’

Flights to and from the nation weren’t affected as of Sunday, and Iceland Air confirmed that the operations of Keflavík Airport weren’t impacted.

But devastating lava flows razed at the very least three properties in Grindavík, in accordance with native media, with the potential for extra destruction looming forward.

Lovísa Mjöll Guðmundsdóttir, a pure catastrophe professional on the Icelandic Meteorological Office, stated: ‘It can’t be dominated out that extra cracks will open.

‘The GPS knowledge confirmed us that there’s elevated magma influx into the tunnel and with that there’s a chance of extra fissures opening up.’

Police chief Víðir Reynisson, citing the Icelandic Met Office, warned that ‘there isn’t any finish to magma influx into the tunnel, and in consequence we must be ready and focus our actions on the true hazard, a big crack opening in Grindavík, main gasoline air pollution from this after which the doable opening of recent eruptions.’ 

Residents of Grindavík have been evacuated round 3am native time as seismic exercise continued to accentuate.

The nation’s nationwide public-service broadcasting service reported that round 200 of the city’s 4,000 residents elected to remain, regardless of the warnings. 

The Public Safety Department of the National Police reported that 200 earthquakes have been recorded in a single day, with Grindavík dropping energy at round 5am.

But by Sunday evening, eruption within the fissure had largely subsided.

‘It appears to us that it has nearly stopped, the lava circulate by these homes,’ stated Böðvar Sveinsson, a pure catastrophe professional on the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, one among Iceland’s greatest vacationer points of interest, shuttered after reopening only one week prior.

On Sunday, the spa prolonged its closure by way of January 16. However, its web site famous that the eruption web site was ‘a secure distance’ away.

Police begged locals to keep away from the eruption web site.

‘We ask folks to not go to the eruption on foot,’ native police stated.

‘It is extraordinarily chilly outdoors and the stroll is lengthy and the bottom is unstable by way of cracks and different issues.

‘In addition, all responders are busy and do not need the manpower to choose up individuals who go away on foot.’

They famous that the realm across the volcano was harmful on account of fissures, gasoline and different hazards.

Iceland’s prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, urged residents to band collectively and uplift each other.

‘Today is a black day for Grindavík and at this time is a black day for all of Iceland, however the solar will rise once more,’ she stated.

‘Together we are going to cope with this shock and no matter might come. Our ideas and prayers are with you.’

Speaking to native media, Jakobsdóttir admitted that the lava was frighteningly near the city.

The evacuation, she insisted, was referred to as on the proper time. 

‘Of course, we’ve got all eyes on this space to make sure the protection of the residents. However, it’s fairly clear that it is a enormous burden for the townspeople. Naturally, the stress is beginning to take its toll on folks,’ she continued.

‘As the state of affairs is now, we’re seeing that the lava is flowing in direction of Grindavík. The ramparts, nevertheless, could also be helpful even when the southern a part of the fissure extends into them. We are monitoring the state of affairs from minute to minute.’ 

The nation’s president issued his personal assertion.

‘We are nonetheless reminded of the ability of the forces of nature,’ President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson stated.

‘And nonetheless we hope for the perfect, as we do every little thing in our energy to make sure folks’s lives. 

‘[We are trying] to guard constructions to the perfect of our skill. 

‘Together we Icelanders suppose warmly of [residents of Grindavík], and everybody who takes care of public safety and operations on the scene. Now we’re all examined.’

Iceland is dwelling to 33 energetic volcano programs, the best quantity in Europe.

The January 14 eruption is Iceland’s fifth in two years, the earlier one occurring on December 18, 2023 in the identical area southwest of Reykjavik. 

That eruption began within the Svartsengi volcanic system and got here after Grindavík’s 4,000 inhabitants fully evacuated.

The fishing city was in the end spared because the lava flowed in a special path.

While volcanic eruptions aren’t unusual in Iceland, volcanoes on the Reykjanes Peninsula have been dormant for 800 years till 2021. 

Lying between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, two of the biggest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic scorching spot as the 2 plates transfer in reverse instructions. 

The December eruption started round 2.4 miles from the city of Grindavík on the Sundhjuka crater, on the Reykjanes peninsula. 

Thrill-seekers have been criticised for venturing in direction of, not away, from the eruption that compelled hundreds to flee their properties. 

‘It’s simply one thing from a film!’ Robert Donald Forrester III, a vacationer from the United States, stated on the time. 

A bunch of boys named advised native media in December that they normally headed in direction of eruptions in Reykjanes.

‘We try to see the eruption. Unfortunately, we did not get any nearer. It’s a pastime that we have had for 4 years, attending each single eruption, and we’ll proceed to take action.’

For native residents, the feelings have been combined.

‘The city concerned may find yourself beneath the lava,’ stated Ael Kermarec, a French tour information residing in Iceland. ‘It’s wonderful to see however, there’s form of a bittersweet feeling in the mean time.’ 

The Ministry of the Environment issued repeated warnings to these desirous about getting near the volcano.

‘Think about somebody aside from your self and comply with the rules of the general public security. Please,’ one spokesman stated.

Police urged folks to remain out of first responders’ means and go away roads as accessible as doable.