Volcanoes near Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik are now active after being dormant for nearly 800 years. As a response, Icelanders are working night and day to build dykes the size of three-story buildings to protect crucial infrastructure from the flow of lava. Reykjavik has a population of 30,000, accounting for approximately 8% of Iceland’s total population and is home to a vital power plant. Experts warn that the six volcanic systems in Iceland will be active for up to three centuries.
Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management, explains that in order to avoid mass destruction, the lava must be diverted, rather than stopped entirely. Otherwise, the lava will accumulate and eventually flow over protective barriers. The construction of defenses in the nearby town of Grindavik, one of Iceland’s most prominent fishing ports, began in December 2023. The first barrier effectively diverted the lava away from the town; however, cracks which developed amid the lava flow caused some overflow into the town.
Reynisson explains that through trial and error, Icelanders now know more about how to build proper barriers to divert the flow of lava. Reynisson adds that Icelanders also have a better idea about how to use them in combat against future volcanic flow.
By Maya Yorks