The Icelandic volcano is right now calmer and less effusive that this Monday. The eruption is no longer continuous and the magma It only flows through two large ‘mouths’ of that fissure of four kilometers that opened in the earth.

The tenth than this Tuesday, when the earth expelled 300 m³ per minute. That, together with the fact that the wind ‘blows in favor’—towards the southeast—makes it lava and volcanic gases are dodging the nearby towns… for now.

The air quality in Reykjanesbær has improved a lot since early Thursday morning, when the number of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere exceeded 1,300 micrograms per cubic meter.

Volcanic uncertainty

Although some geologists point out that this could end in days, others like the well-known Nahúm Méndez (‘Geologist in trouble’) remember that “volcanic systems are very dynamic” and enough unpredictable. This one in particular “very active”: that Reykjanes peninsula is, in fact, epicenter seismic-volcanic in recent years.

The Government of Iceland, through its Foreign Minister, also warned: “This could be a matter of weeks, deflate, or go to more and last potentially months“. Worries the Geothermal Power Plant from Svartsengi, very important and located at about three kilometers from the eruption. Although it’s been more than a month trying to ‘shield’ her.

An anti-lava shield

That ‘shield’ a double protection: first, walls eight meters high (the double that of a house normal from there), then, another semicircular barrier four kilometers around the plant. In addition, a dam to divert the lava in case it came to haunt it.

Iceland volcano infographic |

With the volcano giving us even more bucolic images, with fire and snow in contrast —”amazing“, “a unique occasion in life,” some say tourists— we may want to go see Iceland.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland?

The authorities say yes, it is safe to travel. The airports are open, there are no problems in air traffic. But they warn that the moment may not be the most favorable to go precisely to Grindavík, a town closed tight by the Police at least until December 28th.

With 24-hour surveillance, the entire area near the eruption is evacuated. Therefore, we will have to settle for seeing it from afarAt least until after Christmas.