Watch Iceland’s volcanic eruption from SPACE: NASA satellite captures images before and after explosion, revealing scorching temperatures as lava flows from the fissure
The world is captivated by terrifying images of the latest volcanic eruption in Iceland this week.
And now NASA satellite images reveal the eruption’s destructive power.
Stunning before and after images of the Reykjanes Peninsula show the scorching heat emanating from the massive lava flows.
Using infrared cameras aboard the NOAA-20 satellite, NASA has discovered how the lava flowed through the surrounding landscape.
And in the near-permanent darkness of Arctic winter, these images are crucial for monitoring the ongoing eruption.
These satellite images show how the intense heat of the lava resulting from the eruption (right) contrasts sharply with the cold climate before the explosion (left).
Scientists are closely monitoring the progress of the eruption to predict how dangerous it could become
The eruption initially caused five vents to eject lava and gas to the surface, creating an area of heat so intense it could be observed from space.
An eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula has long been expected as increasing seismic activity raised concerns about dangerous volcanic activity.
However, it was late on the night of December 18 that a swarm of earthquakes provided the final warning of the coming massive eruption.
A 4.1 kilometer long gorge ripped open the ground less than three kilometers north of the town of Grindavik.
Soon, five vents, openings through which magma and gas can escape, spew out hundreds of cubic meters of lava every second.
At their most intense moments, the vents emit more than ten times as much lava per second as Iceland’s last three volcanic eruptions.
The violence and drama of these moments are clearly captured by NASA’s satellite photography.
Late December 18, a 4.5 kilometer rift split the ground, spewing hundreds of cubic meters of lava every second
In one photo, taken before the December 18 eruption, dark areas show the cold and quiet climate.
But in a second photo, taken at 4 a.m. local time on December 19, bright areas catch the lava’s radiating heat.
Simon Carn, a volcanologist at Michigan Technological University said: ‘What you see in these images are the very high temperatures of the active lava flows compared to the surrounding land and clouds.’
If you look closely at the bright yellow area of the lava flow, the image reveals three circular areas at a much lower temperature.
These are most likely three hills, each about 200 meters high, around which the lava can flow.
“The darker areas with lower temperatures appear to be topography around which the lava flows, but these could also be areas where the eruption fissure is inactive and contains cooler lava, or where gas plumes or clouds obscure the surface,” says the lord said Carn.
The dark Arctic winter makes satellite observations difficult with visible light, so scientists fly over the eruption site to monitor its progress
Closer inspection of the lava flow reveals three cooler areas, shown in darker colors. It is believed that these are large mounds around which the lava is currently flowing
Meanwhile, other satellites captured the moment the eruption ripped open the ground.
A satellite from the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites captured the infrared glow of the eruption.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the organization explained that the bright red and yellow colors showed areas of intense heat.
These are clearly visible even through the dense clouds.
Iceland has been the scene of a number of spectacular eruptions in recent years, but this latest one is particularly dangerous due to the large lava flows.
There are serious concerns that lava could travel south towards Gridavik, as well as the Svartsengi geothermal power plant and the Blue Lagoon tourist attraction.
If the lava were to reach these areas, homes and important infrastructure could be completely destroyed.
NASA’s satellite data confirms the theory that the lava flows mainly north and northeast, away from populated areas.
The rift formed just north of a ‘watershed point’, meaning most of the lava will drain out of Grindavik as long as it doesn’t spread further south.
This latest eruption has emitted ten times more lava every second than Iceland’s last three eruptions
Recent reports suggest the eruption is slowing, with only three of the five original vents now active
However, Mr Carn warns that the eruption could become more dangerous very quickly.
Mr Carn says: ‘This could change if the lava builds up and starts flowing in different directions, if the active rift extends southwards, or if new rifts form.’
The eruption currently appears to be slowing and has been reduced to just three vents, but experts say that doesn’t mean the eruption is close to stopping.
The Icelandic Met Office recently warned that ‘more vents are more likely to open’ and that the warning time ‘could be very short’.
Mr Carn added: ‘If the lava continues to flow north, it could eventually reach the main road from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík.’
There are also concerns that pollution from the eruption could be blown towards Reykjavík, although this has not currently happened.
There are concerns that lava may still flow south towards Grindavik and the nearby power station. The area remains closed and residents are advised not to return to their homes
If lava starts flowing south less than three kilometers from the eruption, there is a serious risk of destroying homes in Grindavik
The Reykjanes Peninsula is closed to visitors and Grindavik residents have not yet been advised to return to their homes.
This has not deterred some opportunistic tourists from undertaking the 18-20km hike to see the volcano.
Local police had to remove a hiker by helicopter on Tuesday after they became exhausted and cold halfway to the eruption site.
In a statement, police said: ‘A little information about the location of the eruption that will hopefully make people think four times before heading out.
‘It can be assumed that an experienced walker will need about 4-5 hours to walk this route, but that is not for everyone.’