2023–2024 Sundhnúkur eruptions
Series of volcanic eruptions in Iceland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2023–2024 Sundhnúkur eruptions (Icelandic: Eldgosin við Sundhnúksgíga 2023–2024) are an ongoing series of volcanic eruptions in the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the town of Grindavík, Iceland. As of 24 June 2024[update], there have been five eruptions between December 2023 and June 2024, following an intense series of earthquakes. Although localised, the seismic and volcanic activity have caused significant disruption across the western part of the peninsula, especially for the town of Grindavík.[1]
2023–2024 Sundhnúkur eruptions | |
---|---|
Volcano | Eldvörp–Svartsengi |
Start date | 18 December 2023; 7 months ago (2023-12-18) |
Start time | 22:17 UTC |
End date | Ongoing |
Type | Fissure eruption |
Location | Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 63°52′45″N 22°23′14″W |
Impact | Earthquakes, ground subsidence, lava fountains, lava flows; town of Grindavík heavily damaged and evacuated; damage to regional infrastructure; 1 presumed dead from ground cracking |
The eruptions were preceded by an intense earthquake swarm in the Eldvörp–Svartsengi volcanic system that began on 24 October 2023, caused by a magmatic intrusion underneath the area.[2] The frequency and intensity of the earthquakes dramatically increased on 10 November 2023, with around 20,000 tremors recorded by that time, the largest of which exceeded magnitude 5.3. An evacuation was ordered in Grindavík, and large-scale subsidence in and around the town caused significant damage.[1]
The first eruption started on the evening of 18 December 2023, at the Sundhnúksgígar crater row north of Grindavík,[3][4] with lava spewing and spreading laterally from both sides of the 4 km-long (2.5 mi) fissures.[5] The eruption was preceded by land uplift in the Svartsengi area, which deflated upon eruption, indicating magma accumulated in a storage area 4 to 5 km (2.5 to 3 mi) under Svartsengi feeding this and all subsequent eruptions at Sundhnúksgígar.[1] The eruption was described as the largest in the Reykjanes Peninsula since the beginning of eruptive activity in 2021. The duration of the eruption, however, was relatively short, with the intensity of the eruption subsiding early on 19 December,[6] and the eruption ended on 21 December.[7]
On 14 January 2024, a second fissure erupted north of Grindavík.[8] A few hours later, a smaller fissure opened less than 100 metres (330 ft) from the town inside the protection barriers,[9] with its lava reaching and burning down three residential houses.[10] Just before the second eruption, one individual was reported missing, and presumed to have fallen into a crevice formed from the seismic activity and died.[11][12] A third eruption began on 8 February 2024 in the same area as the December eruption, with a fissure about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long effusively erupting lava on top of earlier flows. The lava flowed over a road and caused significant damage to utility infrastructure.[13]
A fourth eruption commenced on 16 March 2024, originating from a fissure approximately 3–4 kilometres (1.9–2.5 mi) in length. The eruption concluded on 9 May after persisting for 54 days, making it the longest of the five eruptions documented in this eruptive series to date.[14][15][16] A magma intrusion had previously occurred on 2 March but did not breach the surface, potentially delaying the onset of the fourth eruption.[17][18] The fifth eruption began on 29 May and finished on 22 June.[19] It lasted for 24 days, and the volume and area of its lava flows were the largest of the five eruptions to date.[1]