Iceland Volcanic Eruptions Disaster Preparedness and Tourism

Guest Writer/Author: Fazal Firdausi

Earlier in life, I had an opinion that every household in Iceland has a personal hot spring. Though it was my wild imagination, later, I learned that nearly every little town in Iceland has a public pool with natural hot water and steam due to geothermal activities. The landscape is dotted with numerous natural hot springs as the region lies in a volcanically active zone (66 North). Iceland is known for its geological features, such as glaciers, icecaps, gushing geysers, solfataras, magnificent rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and fissure volcanic eruptions. This unique geography has led to a boom in Iceland’s tourism sector (Trip Advisor). 

Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iceland_Base_Map.png

Recent Events 

Towards the end of October 2023, seismic activity increased on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavik. About 880 small earthquakes shook the entire region. Icelandic Met Office warned that a rise in seismic activity might upset the Fagradalsfjall volcano in the southwestern part of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Iceland declared an emergency, and 3000 people from the coastal town of Grindavik were requested to evacuate the town (Independent). According to CNN, the Icelandic Meteorological Department and other scientists, based on their observations, suggested that the increased seismic activity is a result of magma upwelling, which is hitting the surface from beneath. The site where magma is coming closer to the surface is around 3.5 kilometers northeast of Grindavik. Huge cracks were seen on the roads due to the earthquakes. The level of SO2 sulfur dioxide in the air also increased in the coastal town of Grindavik.

Iceland Volcanic Eruption Causes 

1. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is passing through the middle of Iceland. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is part of a series of underwater volcanic ridges. 
2. Iceland lies on the divergent plate boundary where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving away from each other. 
3. As a result of the divergence of these two plates, magma appears at the surface as volcanoes. 
4. Due to plate movements, the area is prone to seismic activities and shallow-focus earthquakes whose intensity may go upto 7.0 on the Richter scale. 
5. The magma is basaltic and more fluid in this region. Hence, it can flow to longer distances. 

Image Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html

Iceland Volcano Tour

Iceland has 32 active volcanoes. It has successfully marketed volcano tourism (visiticeland). The diverse nature of volcanic eruptions is observed from effusive small eruptions where lava flows slowly from fissures. There are a few explosive volcanoes as well that produce a huge amount of ash plumes. Iceland offers hiking tours to Mt. Fagradalsfjall, Mt. Langihryggur, and Mt. Meradlir (visiticeland). It is the best place for tourists to enjoy guided tours of active volcanoes and flowing magma. 

Image Source: Anthony Quintano from Mount Laurel, United States, Litli-Hrútur – Volcanic Eruption in Iceland July 2023, Wikimedia

Iceland Volcano Katla 

Kaltla is an active volcano in the Southern Iceland. It is the largest volcano in the country. Katla has remained less active as it erupted last in 1918. Glacier partially covers Katla, lying under a thick sheet of ice. Experts say that if the Katla volcano erupts in the near future, it may result in disastrous floods. People’s interest in the Katla volcano has been renewed recently due to the Netflix series Katla. 

Impact of Recent Volcanic Activity on Tourism

Iceland is considered the most volcanically active region of the world. A major volcanic event or a new eruption is observed every five years. In 2010, the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull produced an enormous amount of volcanic ash that resulted in the cancellation of 100,000 flights for seven days across the globe and affected millions of tourists (visiticeland). 

Though authorities have evacuated Grandavik, no such orders were given for the Capital city Reykjavik, about 70 kilometers from the current hotspot. Moreover, Keflavik, the only international airport in Iceland, is also near Grindavik. The airport remained operational despite the threat of volcanic eruption. According to Travel Weekly, Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, a major tourist attraction of Iceland, was closed due to the seismic activity since November 9, 2023, and it will remain closed till November 30, 2023, when the situation will be reassessed. However, according to the Iceland Tourist Board, the tourist arrivals in Iceland decreased to 204966 in October from 221603 in September 2023. The scenario will become more clear when the November data will be released. The recent seismic event is a short disruption for Iceland’s tourism sector, and as of now, the overall impact is relatively nominal. 

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gridarendal/31713014740

Iceland Preparedness Volcanic Disaster

Iceland is exposed to significant seismic risk (OECD, 2016). Other risks include avalanches, floods, and landslides. Iceland has focused on disaster preparedness and achieved remarkable results. Following are some of the measures undertaken: 

1. Creation of Civil Protection Committees to formulate policy and organise prevention, preparedness, recovery, and response activities. 
2. Multi-level response plans are in place to tackle challenges like the uncertainty, alert, and distress phases.
3. Establishment of National Crisis and Coordination Centre for Disasters. 
4. Training and exercises are updated every year depending upon the newly emerging issues.  
5. Iceland Meteorological Office (IMO) monitors, analyzes, and provides warnings. It is engaged in the following activities: 

• Predicting natural processes and hazards.
• Issuing alerts for the aviation sector. 
• Conducting research
• Risk Assessment 

To manage the imminent volcanic eruption, the authorities of Iceland will build trenches and a wall to protect their geothermal power plant near Grandivik (AlJazeera). Iceland is very well prepared to address any national disaster, which resonated through the statement issued by Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, “No country other than Iceland is better prepared for volcanoes and other natural disasters.” 

Conclusion

Iceland is a dream destination for all tourists interested in experiencing geophysical activity such as volcanoes. Iceland Tourism is well prepared to minimize the risk due to its experience dealing with such hazards. Social Media is full of posts by tourists visiting Iceland and enjoying its natural beauty despite the warnings.