Iceland builds defences for a future of increased volcanic activity

Record ID: 1763788

  • Title: Iceland builds defences for a future of increased volcanic activity
  • Date: 31st January 2024
  • Summary: NEAR GRINDAVIK, ICELAND (FILE - DECEMBER 22, 2023) (REUTERS) BLUE LAGOON RESORT VARIOUS OF THE SVARTSENGI POWER PLANT
  • Embargoed: 14th February 2024 13:15
  • Keywords: Grindavik Iceland Svartsengi infrastructure power plant volcanic eruption volcano
  • Location: REYKJAVIK, NEAR GRINDAVIK, GRINDAVIK, SUNDHNUKAR AND ALFTANES, ICELAND
  • City: REYKJAVIK, NEAR GRINDAVIK, GRINDAVIK, SUNDHNUKAR AND ALFTANES, ICELAND
  • Country: Iceland
  • Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Europe,Earthquakes/Volcanoes/Tsunami
  • Reuters ID: LVA007642230012024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Icelanders are working round-the-clock to build dykes the size of three-storey buildings to protect a vital power plant and homes from lava flows, since volcanoes near the capital Reykjavik that were dormant for nearly 800 years became active.
    The six volcanic systems, which experts forecast will be active for up to three centuries, stretch under Iceland's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, home to 30,000 people, which has witnessed five eruptions since 2021.
    Amid concerns about an imminent eruption, authorities in November began building defence walls around the peninsula's Svartsengi geothermal power plant.
    Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management, told Reuters the barriers have to divert the lava rather than stop it, otherwise it builds up and goes over the them.
    Construction of defences has also started around the nearby town of Grindavik, home to one of Iceland's key fishing ports and nearly 4,000 residents who were evacuated before the recent eruption north of the town.
    The first barrier proved effective in diverting lava away from Grindavik but when fissures opened on the other side of the barrier, lava reached the town and set some houses alight.
    The biggest barriers are about 40 metres wide, between eight and ten metres high, and four meters wide at the top.
    The Department for Civil Protection is also digging hot water pipelines deeper underground and lifting power and telecom lines higher to protect them.
    (Production : Marco Trujillo, Marko Djurica, Gerhard Mey, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Tom Little, Ilze Filks)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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