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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityScience & EnvironmentIs Iceland entering a new volcanic era?Published2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Dramatic aerials show fast lava spread after Iceland eruptionBy Rebecca Morelle and Alison Francis BBC News ScienceThis week, Iceland woke up to yet another day of fire, as towering fountains of lava lit up the dark morning sky.This time the evacuated town of Grindavik was spared, but the molten rock still wrought havoc – engulfing a pipe that provides heat and hot water to thousands living in the area and cutting off a road to the Blue Lagoon tourist attraction.It is the third short-lived eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since December 2023 and the sixth since 2021. But scientists think this is just the start of a period of volcanic activity that could last for decades or even centuries.So what is going on? Image source, ReutersImage caption, A road was swamped with lava in the most recent eruptionIceland is no stranger to volcanoes – it is one of the most volcanically active places in the world.That is because the country is positioned above a geological hotspot, where plumes of hot material deep within the Earth rise towards the surface. But Iceland also sits on the boundary between the Eurasian and North America tectonic plates. These plates are very slowly pulling apart from each other, creating a space for hot molten rock – or magma – to flow up. As the magma builds up underground, the pressure increases until it breaks through the surface in an eruption (at this point the hot rock is called lava). There are more than 100 volcanoes across Iceland and more than 30 are currently active. But the last time the Reykjanes peninsula saw any lava flow was hundreds of years ago – that may have started as early as the 8th or 9th Century and continued until 1240.Now the eruptions have started again – but why has there been an 800-year gap? “Over geological time, the tectonic plates are pulling apart at about the speed that your fingernails grow, so a few centimetres a year,” explains Prof Tamsin Mather, an Earth scientist from the University of Oxford.”But they don’t seem to smoothly pull apart – they go through these pulses of higher activity. And this is likely what we’re seeing right now in the Reykjanes.”The rocks in the region can reveal even more about the past – and they show a pattern of periods of quiet lasting around 1,000 years – followed by eruptions that continue for a few centuries.”There’s evidence for about three of these types of episodes in the last 4,000 years in this area” Prof Mather explains. “So this is proceeding as expected at the moment. And what we’re expecting is a series of these relatively small, relatively short-lived eruptions over the coming years and decades.”Image source, Getty Images/CopernicusImage caption, This satellite image shows the extent of the most recent eruptionWorking out how to predict when the eruptions will happen is a key concern for Iceland right now – especially as the town of Grindavik and a geothermal power plant – a key piece of national infrastructure – are in the danger zone.”Now that the eruptions are repeating themselves, scientists have a much better idea of what is happening,” explains Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya, a volcanologist from the University of Leeds. “So they’ve been tracking how the ground is inflating as magma is coming out from deep below. And now they actually can tell with a lot more certainty than was possible when to expect the magma to start breaking through the ground.”Image source, ReutersImage caption, In January several houses were destroyed by an eruptionBut pinpointing exactly where an eruption will happen is harder. These aren’t cone-shaped volcanoes like Italy’s Mount Etna, for example, where the lava comes out at more or less the same place.In the Reykjanes Peninsula, the magma is held more loosely under a larger area – and it erupts through cracks – or fissures – that can be miles long.The Icelandic authorities are building large barriers around the town and power station – and these are good at holding lava back. But if a fissure opens up inside the barriers – as was the case in Grindavik in January when some houses were destroyed – not much can be done.A long period of eruptions will have major consequences for Iceland.”This is the most densely populated part of Iceland – so 70% of the population lives within 40km or so,” explains Dr Ilyinskaya.”And all of the key infrastructure is there – so the main international airport, big geothermal power plants, and a lot of tourist infrastructure too, which is a big part of Iceland’s economy.”Key roads being cut off by lava flow and air pollution from the eruptions are just some of the risks.The country’s capital Reykjavik also has the potential to be impacted, says Dr Ilyinskaya.”One scenario that would be hazardous for Reykjavik (Iceland’s capital) is if the eruptions move further east along the peninsula – there are lava flows from 1,000 years ago from the last eruptive cycle that are in what is now Reykjavik, so based on that it is not unfeasible that the lava flows could flow there in future eruptions”So is there a way to predict what will happen in the longer term?Scientists are looking at a number of different volcanic systems that sit across the peninsula.”In the last cycle, the first eruptions started in the systems to the east and migrated to the west, with a few fits and starts here and there,” explains Dr Dave McGarvie from Lancaster University. This time, the first eruptions – which started in 2021 – happened in a system that sits more in the middle of the peninsula.”That system now just seems to have completely switched off – there’s no clear indication of a gathering of magma beneath it. We don’t know whether that’s temporary or whether it’s a permanent thing and it may never erupt again in this cycle.”The most recent eruptions, which began in December, are now in a neighbouring system a little further west.Image source, EPAImage caption, Scientists are learning more with every eruptionDr McGarvie says scientists can get an idea of how much magma is held underground – and whether it is likely to shift away from Grindavik and the power station to another neighbouring volcanic system. “If they saw the rate of magma inflow declining, then that would be an indication that perhaps it’s starting to switch off and if so it may take a few months for it to completely die down.”The question then would be is this a temporary lull or is it actually the end of this phase of activity – we’re into unknown territory at that point.”Scientists are learning more with every eruption, but there’s still a great deal of uncertainty for Iceland as a new volcanic era begins. Follow Rebecca on X (formerly known as Twitter)Related TopicsVolcanoesIcelandMore on this storyThey fled as lava spilled into town – and they may never returnPublished6 days agoIceland lava slowing down after day of destructionPublished15 JanuaryWhy this Iceland volcano won’t cause flight chaosPublished19 December 2023Iceland volcano: What could the impact be?Published14 November 2023Top StoriesClapham attack: Police to search Thames for suspect’s bodyPublished1 hour agoIsraeli soldier videos from Gaza could breach international law, experts sayPublished8 hours agoEx-Fujitsu boss ‘shocked’ by Post Office’s actionsPublished4 hours agoFeaturesDinosaur Island: 40 years of discoveries on SkyeThe Papers: Gaza bloodbath fears and King bonds with FergieIs Iceland entering a new volcanic era?Celebrities and the perils of oversharing daily routinesCash-strapped clubbers make their nights out countHave we lost faith in tech?Swift, swimming and snow: Photos of the weekAn ‘impossible’ country tests its hard-won democracyWeekly quiz: Who beat Miley to win Song Of The Year?Elsewhere on the BBCBritain’s toughest job interview is backLord Sugar’s class of 2024 chase the ultimate investmentAttributioniPlayerThe art of healthy eatingProfessor Tim Spector offers a new approach to the way we eat foodAttributionSoundsThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerExpensive vs High Street skincare products…investigating whether more expensive face creams really are worth the moneyAttributionSoundsMost Read1Man’s indefinite sentence a ‘serious injustice’2Ex-Fujitsu boss ‘shocked’ by Post Office’s actions3Tory donors and 27-year-old among new peers4Mum found under coat in A&E died days later5Gaza bloodbath fears and King bonds with Fergie6Police to search Thames for Clapham attack suspect7Celebrities and the perils of oversharing daily routines8Israeli soldier videos from Gaza could breach international law, experts say9Cash-strapped clubbers make their nights out count10Is Iceland entering a new volcanic era?
[ad_1] Scientists think eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula could continue for decades or even centuries.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUNRWA claims: UN agency condemns aid halt over alleged help for Hamas attacksPublished15 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, ReutersImage caption, UNRWA aid services help about two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million populationThe head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has urged the countries that halted funding to reconsider their “shocking” decision.”UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their sheer survival,” Philippe Lazzarini said.Nine countries, including the UK, earlier paused funding the agency.They acted over allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October deadly Hamas attacks on Israel.The agency later announced it was sacking those employees.The countries that have now suspended funding UNRWA are Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US.Created in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is the biggest UN agency operating in Gaza. It provides healthcare, education and other humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It employs around 13,000 people inside Gaza.Since Israel began its offensive in response to the Hamas attacks UNRWA has used its facilities across Gaza to shelter hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians.The information on UNRWA employees’ alleged involvement in the Hamas attacks was supplied by Israel, which has long accused different branches of the UN – including UNRWA – of bias and even of antisemitism.Huge push for Gaza aid – but little hope for those sufferingIsraeli protesters hold up aid trucks to GazaStories of the hostages taken by Hamas from IsraelIn a statement on Saturday, Mr Lazzarini said: “It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation. ”It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region. “UNRWA shares the list of all its staff with host countries every year, including Israel. The agency never received any concerns on specific staff members.”Mr Lazzarini added that an investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services into “the heinous allegations will establish the facts”.An adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday told the BBC that the 7 October Hamas attacks had involved “people who are on their [UNRWA] salaries”.Mark Regev said there was information showing teachers working in UNRWA schools had “openly celebrated” the attacks. Hamas gunmen killed around 1,300 people, mostly civilians, and took another 250 hostage.Mr Regev also referred to an Israeli hostage who, on her release, said she had been “held in the house of someone who worked for UNRWA”. “They have a union which is controlled by Hamas and I think it’s high time that the UN investigated these links between UNRWA and Hamas,” he added.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The US, Germany and the EU are among UNRWA’s biggest donorsThe allegations prompted reaction from major donors.”The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement on Saturday.”The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations,” it added.Earlier, the US State Department announced it was suspending additional funding to the UN agency, saying it was “extremely troubled” by the allegations.The EU said it would assess further steps “based on the result of the full and comprehensive investigation”. The US, Germany and EU are among some of UNRWA’s biggest donors. UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was “horrified by this news”.Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he aimed to stop UNRWA operating in Gaza after the war. But the Palestinian Authority’s minister for civilian affairs, Hussein Al-Sheikh, said the decision by some countries to pause support for the vital UN agency “entails great political and humanitarian relief risks”.The 7 October attacks triggered Israel’s massive retaliation on Hamas in Gaza – air strikes and shelling that have killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.UNRWA says it is struggling to get humanitarian aid to many of the estimated 1.7 million people – nearly three-quarters of the population – displaced by 12 weeks of fighting.Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warUnited NationsUnited StatesMore on this storyUK halts aid to UN agency after Hamas attack claimPublished1 hour agoIsraeli protesters hold up aid trucks to GazaPublished1 day agoUN says 12 killed at Gaza shelter as fighting ragesPublished2 days agoTop StoriesUN agency condemns aid halt after Hamas attack claimPublished15 minutes agoPost Office chairman asked to step downPublished3 hours agoWatch: Huge fire engulfs building in Liverpool. 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