An volcano eruption broke out at Mt. Fagradalsfjall in the valley Geldingadalur on March 19, 2021. At first it was considered a small eruption and geologists thought it would not even last the night but later they have predicted that it could be a shield volcano that could last for several weeks or even years. Keep reading for some facts about the volcano eruption in Geldingadalur valley.
Before the volcano eruption in Geldingadalur, there was a lot of seismic activity on Reykjanes ridge. The first related earthquake swarm was observed on November 16, 2019. Since then, earthquakes have occurred all over Reykjanes ridge and over 50,000 earthquakes have been measured with the largest of Mw5.2. This was a very uneasy time for people who live in the town of Grindavík which is close to Geldingadalur. Objects flew off the shelves, the ground was almost constantly shaking and it was difficult for people to sleep at night due to earthquakes and also the uncertainty about whether there would be an eruption in the area.
Earthquake swarms moved back and forth on Reykjanes ridge until they were mostly in the area by Mt. Fagradalsfjall and on March 15, 2021, scientists predicted eruptions close to or in Nátthagi valley. Then it happened on March 19, 2021. An eruption broke out in Geldingadalur valley by Fagradalsfjall. The location could not be better as neither people nor buildings were in danger.
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Frank Maxwell Andrews, one of U.S. Army Air Forces most significant leaders and returning to the USA to receive his fourth star, perished alongside twelve other passengers and aircrew when B-24D Liberator slammed into Mt. Fagradalsfjall on May 3rd, 1943. This particular B-24D Liberator was called Hot Stuff and was the first 8th Air Force heavy bomber to fly 25 combat missions over Europe during WWII.
The volcano in Geldingadalur valley is on privately owned land. This is a large piece of land called Hraun (lava) and is east of Grindavík. How great is it to own an eruption? But do not worry, the area is open and accessible to the public as long as weather conditions allows.
The magma came to the surface in a very calm way. So much that the scientists saw no signs of any movement at all. The eruption was first noticed after a call in the evening of March 19, when a passerby reported that there was a red glow in the sky. Late, in a live broadcast, one scientist mentioned that he had never seen such a little weakling meaning how small this eruption was. Scientists even thought that it would not last the night. But later they have predicted that it could be a shield volcano that could last for several weeks or even years.
Shield volcanoes are the result of high magma supply rates; the lava is hot and little-changed since the time it was generated. Shield volcanoes are the common product of hotspot volcanism but they can also be found along subduction-related volcanic arcs or all by themselves. Examples of shield volcanoes are Kilauea and Mauna Loa (and their Hawaiian friends), Fernandina (and its Galápagos friends), Karthala, Erta Ale, Tolbachik, Masaya, and many others.
The name Fagradalsfjall is a compound of the Icelandic words of fagur (beautiful), dalur (valley), and fjall (mountain). The name Geldingardalur is a compound of the Icelandic words of gelda (castrate), dalur (valley).
Two new fissures opened up on April 6, 2021 around noon. Just about 700m (2300ft) north east of the first eruption. And again the magma came to the surface in a very calm way so the scientists again did not see any signs of movement. Different from the pilot of a helicopter and its passengers who actually saw the magma rising from the ground. What an experience!!!
From this eruption, the lava runs fast, like a beautiful River, for around 1000m (3300ft) into a valley called Meradalir.
The estimated total flow at this point was estimated at 10 cubic meters per second, which means that the eruption has grown from the beginning.
One more crack opens up on 07.04 between the two already erupting and yet another on 10.04, around 3 pm. All the cracks are in a straight line and it is believed to be the same eruption channel underneath.
The flow of lava from the eruption area is small in a historical context, but if more more craters open up, it can increase and so can the gas pollution.
This “Little Weakling” is the smallest volcano eruption in the history of Iceland, but still no eruption has attracted as many people. During the week of April 1-7, 16 percent of the population had hiked to the eruption site.
On the morning of May 2, the behavior changed a lot. Only one of the craters was now erupting but with much more force than ever seen before. Now it threw ashes high into the air but also stopping complete in between, as if it was loading up to a good explotion. Acting kind of like a Geyser.
We hope you enjoyed those few facts about the volcano eruption in Geldingadalur valley.
Sources:
https://icelandgeology.net/
http://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/monument-for-gen-andrews-and-the-crew-of-b-24-hot-stuff.html
https://www.visir.is/g/20212089128d
https://www.ruv.is/frett/2021/03/18/bein-utsending-fra-gosstodvunum-nyjar-sprungur-opnast
https://www.ruv.is/frett/2021/04/11/naer-oll-thjodin-hafdi-frett-af-gosinu-a-midnaetti