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The earth is at its most stressed in Iceland proper now. Since November 2023 the Icelandic authorities have been monitoring seismic exercise on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik.
The most recent eruption started on the night of 16 March, with lava reaching the japanese fringe of the fishing city of Grindavik – which has principally been evacuated.
The Icelandic Met Workplace (IMO) reported: “The eruption started at 20:23 UTC on 16 March, with a 2.9-km-long fissure forming rapidly. The size and placement of the fissure is much like the eruption on 8 February 2024.”
The IMO added that the lava was travelling at a pace of 1km per hour over the weekend, however in its newest up to date famous that has “slowed considerably”, including: “The eruption has not ended, and lava continues to be extruded from a 0.5km-long fissure.”
The Overseas Workplace warns: “Lately there have been a sequence of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland.
“The capital metropolis, Reykjavik, and the remainder of Iceland has not been impacted by these eruptions. It’s doubtless there shall be additional eruptions on this location. You must monitor native media for updates and comply with the authorities’ recommendation on journey to the world.”
The placement is round 10 miles southwest of Keflavik airport, a significant North Atlantic aviation hub. Flights are persevering with to reach and depart as regular.
These are the important thing questions and solutions on client rights.
I’m in Iceland. Will I be capable to depart?
Sure, assuming the worldwide airport stays open. Isavia, which runs the airport, stated: “An eruption has began on the Reykjaness Peninsula.
“Keflavik airport and regional airports in Iceland are usually not impacted and totally operational.”
You could be eager to go away sooner than booked, with a purpose to assure your getaway, however at current you won’t be able to change flights with out paying a penalty.
The FCDO advises travellers to examine the next assets for updates:
Earlier earthquakes struck simply 10 miles south of Iceland’s essential airport, Keflavík Worldwide, however the UK Overseas Workplace stated journey can go forward
(Vafri.is)
However didn’t an Icelandic volcano shut down European aviation for every week?
Sure. Travellers could bear in mind the place they have been in April 2010, when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted. The skies of northern Europe utterly closed to passenger aviation for nearly every week.
1 / 4 of a billion cubic metres of volcanic ash was ejected and was carried southeast in the direction of the UK and continental Europe by the breeze. The worry was that volcanic ash might harm jet engines and probably carry down plane. Within the largest shutdown of aviation for the reason that Second World Struggle, 50,000 flights have been cancelled and eight million passengers had their journey plans wrecked.
Greater than 50,000 flights, with eight million passengers booked to journey, have been cancelled.
To date in 2023, although, ash has not been a difficulty within the present geological outburst.
Fortunately, the circumstances are very completely different. Eyjafjallajokull erupted with a glacier on prime. The addition of melting water meant that the lava cooled in a short time into tiny fragments. These have been promptly propelled into the environment to a top of 30,000 ft by the steam produced within the eruption.
The present eruption shouldn’t be having something like the identical impact. The lava will cool and stay on the bottom.
As well as, new pointers established within the wake of the 2010 eruption permit plane to fly if volcanic ash is current in moderately small portions. One other Icelandic volcano erupted in 2011, and in that case just one per cent of flights in northern Europe have been cancelled – relatively than 100 per cent on some days in that extraordinary time.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon has been closed as a precuation
(AP)
What if I’m booked on a package deal vacation?
Overseas Workplace recommendation stops properly wanting advising in opposition to journey to Iceland, that means vacation corporations can proceed to function as regular – with no automated proper to cancel.
Iceland is a rustic peppered with volcanic websites
(Icelandic Met Workplace)
Till and until the Overseas Workplace warns in opposition to journey, the belief is that all the pieces will go forward as regular.
The one exception is for holidaymakers who had deliberate to remain on the Blue Lagoon, an more and more widespread “wellness” vacation spot, with an upmarket lodge on the location.
The Blue Lagoon has closed, with an announcement on its web site explaining: “On account of a volcanic eruption that commenced on the morning of 8 February,now we have closed all our operational items immediately, Thursday.
“The present eruption website is a secure distance from Blue Lagoon.”
Solely these booked for a keep have the prospect to cancel; in the event you have been hoping to pop in as a day customer for a steamy cease within the volcanic rock swimming pools, you have to to return at a while sooner or later.
Can I declare on insurance coverage?
No, until it is among the vanishingly uncommon “cancel for any cause” insurance policies. On normal journey insurance coverage, “disinclination to journey” shouldn’t be a suitable cause for a declare.
Would you go to Iceland for the time being?
Sure, I’d relish the chance. Winter is a superb time to go to Iceland for good worth. Circumstances proper now are additionally glorious for the prospect of a very good present from the Northern Lights, that are close to the height of the common 11-year cosmic cycle.
The Icelandic authorities are knowledgeable at dealing with seismic occasions, with extraordinarily good monitoring and emergency methods in place.
I’d ebook a package deal vacation, although, realizing that if the earth will get too stressed for consolation within the neighborhood, I’d be capable to cancel for a full refund.
It is also that the brand new eruption turns into an attraction in its personal proper, as some have carried out. However not proper now. Clive Stacey, founding father of the main Iceland specialist journey agency Uncover The World, stated: ”As issues stand this isn’t a ‘vacationer eruption’ in its current section and sightseers have been warned to keep away from the world.”
