2/4/24, 11:06 PM TIME for Kids | A Volcano Erupts

World | Earth Science

A Volcano Erupts
January 19, 2024

Armani Syed for TIME

SMOKE AND ASH On January 14, lava from a volcanic eruption lights up a massive smoke
cloud.
ICELANDIC DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

A volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted on the morning of

January 14. It sent molten lava into Grindavík, a fishing town. Several

houses caught fire. No deaths were reported, but many people were forced

from their homes. While staying with friends or family, these people are

waiting for a long-term living solution from the Icelandic government.

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2/4/24, 11:06 PM TIME for Kids | A Volcano Erupts

The lava has caused major damage. It severed the pipes that took hot

water into town from the nearby power station. Homes have no heat, and
are too cold to live in, given the freezing temperatures at this time of year.

The eruption is Iceland’s fifth in three years, and the second in less than a

month. Emergency workers have been building defensive walls around the

town, but these were not yet complete. Iceland’s prime minister, Katrín
Jakobsdóttir, says the barriers were “serving their purpose” by redirecting

the flow of lava. But lava spewing from a second crack in the ground made

its way around the barriers and into the town.

Robin Andrews, a journalist and volcanologist, spoke to the BBC. “What can

be said with certainty is that it’s an extremely perilous . . . situation,” he said.

LAVA RIVER Lava flows near the town of Reykjanes, damaging buildings
and infrastructure.
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