The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced increased seismic activity and volcanic unrest in recent months. The cracks caused by more than 1,000 earthquakes forced an evacuation of Grindavik in November, the result of seismic activity that began increasing around the Fagradalsfjall volcano on 25 October. The ground finally erupted on the night of 18 December.
About two hours later, the agency shared an update and said the eruption fissure was expanding south.
The rate of lava discharge during the first two hours of the eruption was thought to be on a scale of hundreds of cubic metres per second, with the largest lava fountains on the northern end of the fissures,” according to Icelandic Meteorological Office. “Lava is spreading laterally from either side of the newly opened fissures. From real-time GPS measurements, significant ground deformation has accompanied the opening of the eruption fissures.”
The agency added that “the level of seismicity at the eruption site has decreased” and evidence suggests the eruption also decreased in intensity since its onset.
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