Lava, fire and smoke, Iceland
After around 50.000 earthquakes from very small up to 5,6 had been measured since February 24th, a volcanic eruption in the Geldingadal valley started in the late evening of march 19. The lava comes up from an exceptional depth of 20 kilometres. The last time an eruption happened in this area dates from the beginning of the thirteenth century, and lasted for 30 years, with intervals, from 1210-1240. Actually, volcanic activities occurred frequently in this area (Reykjanes peninsula) for appr. 300 years, from 950-1240.
The blue haze and smoke is sulphur dioxide that was hanging on the hot lava field due to little wind. Emerging gases as carbon monoxide can be very dangerous in valleys especially when there is little wind. The flow of lava that the eruption ´produces' is 5,7 kubic metres per second and is very constant.
Lava, fire and smoke, Iceland
After around 50.000 earthquakes from very small up to 5,6 had been measured since February 24th, a volcanic eruption in the Geldingadal valley started in the late evening of march 19. The lava comes up from an exceptional depth of 20 kilometres. The last time an eruption happened in this area dates from the beginning of the thirteenth century, and lasted for 30 years, with intervals, from 1210-1240. Actually, volcanic activities occurred frequently in this area (Reykjanes peninsula) for appr. 300 years, from 950-1240.
The blue haze and smoke is sulphur dioxide that was hanging on the hot lava field due to little wind. Emerging gases as carbon monoxide can be very dangerous in valleys especially when there is little wind. The flow of lava that the eruption ´produces' is 5,7 kubic metres per second and is very constant.