Grindavik Volcano Has Erupted – How Can Such Powerful Geographical Fixtures Be Harnessed?

On December 18, Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula experienced yet another volcanic outburst, the fourth in three years. This volcano erupted in the country’s most populated region, with lava fountains shooting up into the air and the glow visible miles away in the center of the capital, Reykjavik. It was also not far from the Svartsengi Power Plant and the town of Grindavík, which had been evacuated last month due to increased seismic activity.

The nation’s latest eruption in its volcanic saga was marked by several intense earthquakes and tremors as precursors. Then, merely two hours later, the volcano erupted, releasing lava at a rate ten times greater per second compared to any of the previous three at their peaks. The incident led to the fissure stretching out to 2.5 miles in length within just minutes.

The southwesterly strip of land has been dormant for thousands of years, yet recently, there has been a surge in activity recorded in the area.

“Just in context of the past three years on the Reykjanes Peninsula, it is pretty mind-blowing.”

– Tom Winder, a volcano seismologist at the University of Iceland, remarked in an interview.

The preceding three eruptions occurred in 2021, 2022, and then again this summer. The last instance of such rapid succession of eruptions was in the early 13th century, explaining the heightened attention these recent events are receiving. Notably, all four of these recent eruptions have been of the fissure type, characterized by lava emerging through new cracks in Earth’s crust at unpredictable locations.

This latest eruption drew international scrutiny, particularly for the potential of another ash cloud disrupting air travel, reminiscent of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010. That event was relatively small and nonfatal. However, this time, significant ash production was deemed highly unlikely, as magma wasn’t injected under an ice sheet.

Interestingly, the eruption’s intensity decreased just a day into its onset. Initially, it appeared to be short-lived, but experts suggest that it may continue to emit lava at a steady, albeit modest, rate for months to come.

Indeed, Ireland is familiar with volcanic activity, home to approximately 130 volcanoes. This is attributed to Iceland sitting astride the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, separated by a mid-ocean ridge exuding magma. While volcanic eruptions in Iceland occur roughly every four to five years, their timing has been unpredictable. Some scientists also believe that Katla, the country’s most famous volcano with five eruptions since 1721, may soon erupt, as it remains unaffected by recent seismic activities.

Using Volcanoes to our Advantage

So, as we saw, Iceland is one of the most volcanically active regions on our planet. But what exactly are volcanoes? They are openings where lava, small rocks, and steam erupt onto the surface of the Earth. They can be both on land or in the ocean when material, which could be ash, liquid rock, or gasses, significantly hotter than its surroundings, is erupted.

According to NASA, the rise of liquid rock or magma occurs when tectonic plates move away from each other or towards each other. Another way this happens is when magma rises at hotspots. The type of volcano, meanwhile, depends on the viscosity of the magma, its composition, the amount of gas in it, and the way it reaches the surface.

These geologic architects actually account for over 80% of Earth’s surface. About 1,500 volcanoes are considered potentially active, with more than 10% of them located within US boundaries.

Volcanic eruptions pose many dangers, including wiping out populations and burying towns. However, not all volcanic activity is detrimental. Volcanoes are responsible for creating fertile soil for agriculture and many mineral resources such as gold, silver, nickel, copper, and lead. But this is not all, so let’s explore some prominent and extremely beneficial uses of volcanic activities.

Geothermal Energy Production

The wide availability of volcanoes makes them a great source of green energy. To harness geothermal energy from volcanoes, systems are installed that pick up volcanic heat underground and carry it through pipes to heat or cool an area. 

Another way to do this is to drill into the earth near areas of high heat to run water through those areas to create steam, which spins turbines and produces electricity. This renewable energy created by using the heat from the earth’s crust offers the benefits of high capacity, reliability, and sustainability.

Many countries, like New Zealand, the Philippines, Costa Rica, and Iceland, and states like California, Hawaii, and Utah in the US, utilize geothermal energy derived from volcanic activity for general electricity production. 

In Kenya, geothermal power is responsible for 51% of the country’s power supply. Meanwhile, El Salvador uses this energy source for specific applications like Bitcoin mining.

Commercially, companies such as Ormat Technologies provide clean, reliable solutions from geothermal power. In 2021, it secured an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the 30 MW geothermal power plant project in Alaska near the Makushin Volcano project site. Additionally, Volcano Energy and Luxor Technology Corporation have launched El Salvador’s first Bitcoin mining pool powered by renewable geothermal energy.

Agriculture

Volcanic environments can actually be pretty good locations for farming. These soils, formed in volcanic ash or other explosive eruption materials, are known as Andisols and are extremely fertile due to these deposits being rich in minerals and nutrients like magnesium and potassium. 

So, when volcanoes erupt and rocks and ash spread everywhere, these elements are released, which changes the soil composition and produces extremely fertile soils. This leads to high crop yields and profitability for farms in addition to diverse farming activities. This is why crushed volcanic rock is used to improve soil health through a method called enhanced rock weathering. 

According to a study published in the AGU’s journal Earth’s Future, incorporating crushed volcanic rocks into fields can play a crucial role in helping the planet achieve the carbon removal target set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and is particularly promising in warm, wet tropics.

Tourism and Recreation

Volcanic areas are often significant tourist attractions, with popular activities such as hiking, hot spring bathing, scenic beauty, studying geologic heritage, and observing geological formations. This can be a significant source of income for local communities and help boost the countries’ economies. One of the best destinations for those wanting to get up close to some of the largest volcanoes in the world include Fagradalsfjall, Iceland, Cumbre Vieja, Spain, Etna, Italy, Sakurajima, Japan, and Popocatépetl, Mexico.

The unique landscapes created by volcanic activity draw visitors from around the world. For instance, the dormant volcano Mt Fuji in Japan or the extinct volcano in Edinburgh. Tourists, however, must be aware of potential health hazards in such environments, including lava flows, ash, landslides, mudflows, and volcanic gasses.

Recently, local tour operator Icelandia saw its booking numbers skyrocket with their volcano tours. In an interview, the company shared that a few years ago, with the first eruption of the Litli-Hrútur rift zone, they started offering shuttle service and then moved on to sightseeing tours visiting the lava fields. 

“It’s like out of a fairy tale. The response has been insane. The reviews are great. When they see the volcano, some are crying, some are in complete shock.”

– Icelandia Account Manager Svala Magnúsdóttir about the volcano experience. 

Scientific Research

Volcanoes offer valuable research opportunities to scientists by providing unique insights into the geological processes, natural disaster prediction, and the earth’s interior and science. Researchers study volcanic materials, seismic activity, and the processes of earth formation, which offer valuable educational resources for students and researchers alike.

NASA’s VERITAS science team is one such example which is studying volcanic Iceland to use as a substitute for another planet, Venus — which is smaller than Earth but has crushing atmospheric pressure, clouds composed of sulfuric acid, and sizzling hot surface temperature to gain more insights into it. Researchers are also developing specialized equipment like a low-power SO2 (sulfur dioxide) camera to monitor emissions from volcanoes.

Organizations like the United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitor and conduct research on volcanoes in the US. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), which is part of the USGS, focuses on volcanic activities in Hawaii, particularly those on the Big Island. 

Other organizations include Italy’s National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) in France, and Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), which conducts research on volcanic activity in Japan.

Mineral Extraction

Volcanic areas are rich in valuable minerals, ores, and metals like sulfur, gold, silver, and copper. For instance, active volcanoes like Mount Etna in Italy are known for releasing about 20 tonnes of copper and 10kg of gold a day in volcanic gasses. While metal extraction may not be possible from volcanic gas, it can be mined from hot magmatic brines that are beneath dormant volcanoes. Mining these resources also boosts the local economy and provides job opportunities. 

In September, an analysis revealed that a dramatic amount of lithium metal — as much as 20 to 40 million tonnes — is present in a volcanic crater along the Nevada–Oregon border. Given that the US mostly relies on lithium imports, which is used for rechargeable batteries in electric cars, this holds significant importance for the country. 

Meanwhile, a couple of months ago, a team of the University of Leicester geologists developed a technique that utilizes fluid saturation to predict whether a volcano region is potentially a good site for future copper mining, a critical metal for green-energy transition.

Freeport-McMoRan, Barrick Gold Corporation, Newmont Corporation, and Anglo-American are some global mining companies that operate in diverse geological settings, including areas with volcanic activity.

Therapeutic Uses

While volcano eruptions can have hazardous effects on people living near them, they also offer medical benefits. Some hot springs and mud baths near volcanoes are believed to have therapeutic properties and are used for health treatments. 

The healing properties of volcanic thermal springs have become part of spa and wellness tourism, attracting people seeking relaxation and health benefits. 

Some well-known locations offering these services include Blue Lagoon in Iceland, The Springs Resort and Spa in Costa Rica, Pamukkale in Turkey, Rotorua in New Zealand, Beitou Hot Springs in Taiwan, Calistoga in California, USA, and Hakone in Japan.

In addition to having therapeutic properties, volcanic mud therapy is being used as a medical treatment for rheumatism, and materials like volcanic ash are also being used as natural skincare products. 

Formed by volcanic eruptions, the ash contains a lot of minerals and other chemicals such as Silica, Sulfur, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, and Magnesium, which are good for your skin in terms of exfoliation, detoxification, absorption of excess oil, better circulation, and calming irritated skin. These minerals and other trace elements further nourish the skin, enhance skin cell turnover, and help in the appearance of a vibrant and younger complexion. 

Building Materials

Many volcanic materials are commonly used in construction, particularly in the production of lightweight concrete blocks. This includes basalt, which is a volcanic rock that is durable and often used as crushed stone in the construction of asphalt and concrete. 

Meanwhile, Pumice, a light and porous volcanic rock, is used as an abrasive material. Volcanic ash is another one used to produce pozzolanic cement. Then there’s tuff, a type of rock which is also used as a building material. These materials are natural and offer environmentally friendly options for building materials. 

According to researchers, the key to ancient Romans’ concrete’s ability to last for millennia was volcanic ash from the area of Pozzuoli on the Bay of Naples.

According to research, volcanic materials, when used as additives, can enhance the freezing and thawing resistance of cement pastes, mortars, and concrete. If we take a look at a real-world example of this, an Indonesian company called Rebricks makes use of volcanic ash and mixes it with mountain stones, plastic waste, and cement to make a brick that does not contain sand like regular ones.

Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon Capture and Storage is focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This involves capturing CO2 emissions at their source, transporting them to a storage site, and finally storing them underground to prevent their release into the atmosphere, aiming to mitigate climate change. Earlier this year, scientists investigated Earth’s most extreme, CO2-rich environments to find volcanic microbes with potential to revolutionize carbon capture technology.

Research continues into using basalt rock formations, prevalent in volcanic areas, for carbon capture and storage. Recent studies suggest that applying basalt dust in croplands could effectively capture atmospheric carbon dioxide on a large scale.

Interestingly, an earlier study this year found that an extinct volcano off Portugal’s coast could store about 1.2-8.6 gigatons of CO2, equating to approximately 24-125 years of the country’s industrial emissions. Recognizing this potential, governments are showing interest and investing resources. For instance, the UK government awarded Scottish Earth scientists a £1 million grant to develop innovative methods for quantifying CO2 storage in volcanic rock.

Space Research

Not only are volcanoes monitored from space, but volcanic landscapes on Earth are used to simulate and study conditions on other planets, aiding in space exploration and research, which has inherent dangers and expenses.

Idaho State University professors are studying volcanoes in the eastern Snake River Plain region. These volcanoes, according to the researchers, have the “same lava type and eruption style of volcanoes on the Moon and Mars,” and they expect their research techniques to be used by astronauts on future missions to study the same forces of change on the Moon and beyond.

Earlier this year, scientists also found a planet named LP 791-18d, which is likely covered with volcanoes and is expected to offer insights into how volcanoes shape planetary environments with time.

Concluding Thoughts

Volcanoes are ruptures in the Earth’s crust. They are known for their destructive power as they create the danger of wiping out people and causing health concerns like infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, burns, falls, and accidents. However, as we saw, volcanic eruptions have another side too.

The volcanic activity offers the benefits of fertile soil, the formation of new islands, the availability of precious gems, minerals, and building materials, the creation of hot springs, the production of geothermal energy, and the periodic cooling of the planet. This means volcanoes need to be studied extensively and their power harnessed properly, as they can be extremely beneficial for humankind. 

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