A volcano situated on a remote island in the Galapagos archipelago has recently erupted, unleashing streams of molten lava cascading down its slopes towards the ocean below. The La Cumbre volcano, standing at approximately 4,842 feet tall, located about 600 miles from Ecuador's mainland, initiated its eruption on Saturday, March 2, around midnight local time.
This eruption, reported to be the largest since 2017 according to Ecuador's Geophysical Institute, has resulted in the emission of gases and thermal anomalies detected via satellite systems by Ecuador's environmental ministry. Despite the eruption, authorities state that it is unlikely to impact tourism to the islands.
La Cumbre volcano, known for its frequent activity, has recorded close to 30 eruptions since 1800, with the most recent one occurring in 2020 following a magnitude 4.7 earthquake. While the eruption poses no immediate threat to humans, Fernandina Island, where the volcano is located, is home to a diverse array of unique animal species including penguins, iguanas, and flightless cormorants.
In a separate incident over 5,000 miles away in Iceland, seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula prompted the evacuation of the renowned Blue Lagoon resort and spa on March 2. The activity indicated a possible volcanic eruption in the vicinity, leading to the precautionary evacuation of between 600 and 800 guests.
Additionally, the fishing town of Grindavík, located nearby, was evacuated as a precautionary measure due to the appearance of fissures in the earth's surface. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has been closely monitoring the situation, with magma accumulation beneath the area indicating a heightened risk of eruption in the coming days.
While residents of Grindavík were permitted to return following a previous eruption on February 8, the potential for another eruption in the region remains a concern. The IMO has issued hazard maps outlining areas at risk and has warned of the increased likelihood of further volcanic activity in the near future.