After Weeks Of Intense Earthquake Activity, Volcano Erupts In Iceland: Will It Affect Air Traffic?

After weeks of intense earthquake activity, a volcano erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland.

Triggered by a series of seismic events, the volcanic eruption began to the north of the town at 22:17 local time. The Icelandic Met Office indicated that the eruption site was situated approximately 4km (2.5 miles) northeast of Grindavik, with seismic activity progressing toward the town.

The volcanic fissure extended approximately 3.5 km, and the lava flowed at a rate ranging from 100 to 200 cubic meters per second, surpassing the volumes seen in recent eruptions in the vicinity.

Social media posts disseminated images and videos capturing the moment lava spewed from the volcano in the aftermath of the seismic occurrences. Responding to the event, a coastguard helicopter was dispatched to verify the eruption's location and dimensions.

Lava seemed to emanate in various directions from a substantial fissure in the volcano, projecting jets high into the atmosphere. The eruption's visibility extended to the capital, Reykjavik, positioned approximately 42km northeast of Grindavik. Observers noted that half of the sky in the Grindavik direction was illuminated in red, accompanied by billowing smoke. Authorities cautioned the public to steer clear of the affected area.

Will This Affect Air Traffic?

A sizable eruption has the potential to cause significant disruptions to air travel, spanning not only over Iceland but also across broader regions. The 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano serves as a notable example. Prolonged northerly winds carried extensive plumes of volcanic ash to continental Europe, resulting in the cancellation of over 100,000 flights over several weeks. This disruption affected 7 million passengers and led to a substantial economic impact, with an estimated $4.7 billion being shaved off the global economy.

Meanwhile, flights to and from Keflavik Airport continue without interruption. The Civil Protection Department of Iceland said the possibility of air traffic disruption as "unlikely," emphasizing that the impact on flight operations would hinge on variables such as the eruption's location and magnitude.

On Monday, travellers at the airports opened up on flight statuses through social media. Some even posted videos capturing the volcanic eruption from the airport premises.

"I'm in Iceland now, the hotel called each room and said keep the windows closed because the volcano's erupted. A 757 from LHR just landed so I'm hoping my flight at 8am will be good," a user said on Twitter.