Geologists warn that volcanic eruptions could continue to plague Iceland's most populous region for years or even decades. The warning comes from an international team of researchers, including experts from the universities of Oregon and California at San Diego, after studying a series of eruptions that began on the Reykjanes Peninsula in 2021.
The researchers' analysis showed that all recent eruptions have originated from a common magma reservoir located approximately 6.5 miles below Fagradalsfjall volcano. This reservoir of magma is constantly replenished by material rising from the depths of the Earth's mantle. Given this, researchers expect more moderate eruptions, similar to those that have led to repeated (and sometimes permanent) evacuations of the town of Grindavik and its surrounding areas in recent months.
Iceland's volcanic activity is a result of its unique geographic provisions. The island sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly moving apart. This, combined with a mantle hot spot beneath the island, causes magma to regularly rise to the surface. In fact, the entire island of Iceland has been built up by successive volcanic eruptions over the past 20 million years.
Historically, Iceland has experienced volcanic eruptions approximately every three to five years across the island. However, since 2021, there have been eight separate fissure eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula alone. The peninsula is home to 70% of Iceland's population, meaning these eruptions pose a significant risk to urban areas, critical infrastructure and the country's only international airport.
Researchers analyzed earthquake data and lava samples to gain insight into the geological processes that led to these recent eruptions. They found evidence of a common reservoir of magma beneath the peninsula, fed by molten rock rising from a mantle hotspot. This suggests the possibility of a prolonged period of volcanic activity in the region, perhaps lasting years or even decades.
While researchers are confident that more eruptions are coming, the exact pattern and frequency future events remain uncertain. “Nature is never simple,” said volcanologist Ilya Bindeman of the University of Oregon. “We don't know how long or how often this will continue over the next ten or even hundred years. A pattern will emerge, but in nature there are always exceptions and irregularities,” he added.
Researchers plan to continue studying volcanic activity by drilling areas to obtain more detailed information about the eruption processes. Iceland's relatively liquid and non-explosive magma makes it an ideal "natural laboratory" for scientists studying active volcanoes up close. As study author Valentin Troll noted: “When you witness a volcanic eruption, you can feel that these are huge forces of nature, and you yourself are very small.” Although these events may be normal on a geological time scale, they can have devastating consequences for human populations along their path.
Source: timesofindia
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