Iceland's Innovative Measures to Tackle Volcano Threat

Icelandic authorities are considering a plan to pump water onto lava in the event of a volcanic eruption near the town of Grindavík. The water would be used to cool and divert the flow of lava, protecting the fishing port and important infrastructure. This method was previously used in 1973 to control a volcanic eruption on the island of Heimaey. Iceland, home to 33 active volcano systems, experiences eruptions every four or five years on average. Authorities are assessing the possibility of using high volume pumping to safeguard Grindavík and its surrounding areas.