On July 10, 2023, a remarkable event took place in Iceland – the birth of a baby volcano. At the foot of the mountain in the Icelandic volcanic region of Fagradalsfjadl, three cracks appeared, spewing lava and gas into the atmosphere.
While two of these cracks closed quickly, one remained and turned into a crater that now stands over 30 meters high. Although it is not comparable to such massive volcanoes as Mauna Loa, some scientific circles have dubbed it the newest volcanic formation on Earth, IFLScience writes.
The breathtaking images of the lava flow instantly hit social media, attracting attention. Additionally, RÚV, the Icelandic national broadcaster, provided a live broadcast on its YouTube channel, allowing viewers to see the spectacle with their own eyes.
Volcanic activity is not uncommon in this region. The baby volcano was born in Little Crutur, an area that had remained inactive for 800 years until it experienced eruptions in March 2021 and August 22. Before the recent eruption, a series of thousands of earthquakes occurred in this area.
Photo: Anthony Quintano via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
According to a July 25 report by the Iceland Monitor, lava flow at Little Hrutur exceeded the volume of the previous August eruption, reaching a staggering 12.4 million cubic meters. The European Space Agency also released an image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite, which shows a plume of lava and smoke the day after the eruption began.
Litli-Hrutur is located just 30.6 kilometers southwest of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. Due to the accumulation of toxic gases and the rapid flow of lava in the initial stages of the eruption, the authorities temporarily restricted access to the area.
The situation was further complicated when fires broke out in the dry, mossy landscape. The firefighters managed to bring the fires under control, and on July 17, the area was reopened to tourists with daily safety assessments.
Tourists who dare to make the 9-kilometer hike or bike ride to the viewpoint are rewarded with a personal encounter with this incredible geological phenomenon.
Photo: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by ESA (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)
As the current eruption continues to develop, experts are closely monitoring the site, realizing that new cracks may form. The Icelandic Meteorological Office issued a warning to visitors, noting the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the lava flow.
The duration of the eruption remains uncertain. The crater is still expanding, but as volcanic expert Laura Weinman explains, there is a limit to its growth, after which it becomes unstable.
Volcanic eruption live on air
Through live broadcasts, people around the world can watch the evolution of Earth’s newest fiery spectacle as the changing planet continues to deliver its surprises.
