Featured Image Credit: YouTube/@liveiceland
Topics: Environment, Iceland, World News
Callum Jones
A viral video online shows 'brave' workers desperately try to stop the flow of lava in Iceland after a volcano erupted.
Grindavik, a town southwest of Iceland's capital Reykjavík, is a region that really cannot catch a break from volcanic activity.
The Icelandic town saw massive flows of burning lava engulf a road earlier this year, marking its third volcanic eruption in the space of just a couple of months.
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In the clip, the orange lava and billowing smoke can be seen engulfing the roads as crews using a digger desperately attempt to control it.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), seismic activity began at around 5.30am on 8 February, with the eruption following round 30 minutes after.
Iceland’s Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management declared a state of emergency at the time and residents were urged to conserve water and electricity.
Local officials also advised residents that only one electric oven could be used per household.
"If everyone starts the ovens at the same time, the system can fail," a news release said. "It is therefore important that residents follow instructions and only use one electrical stove for heating."
"...We will continue to closely follow the guidelines and recommendations of the authorities, working collaboratively with them to monitor the progression of events. This commitment aligns with our unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our valued guests and staff."
While the seismic activity happened back in February, this clip in question has resurfaced on social media recently.
In the video, lava comes dangerously close to a digger truck as it desperately tries to stop the flow from commencing.
It really is the job that nobody wants to do.
However, somebody does need to do it, and the workers have been applauded as a result.
The clip was recently uploaded to X by the account Nature is Amazing, with many flocking to the comments section.
"These men are brave as heck working while lava is coming," one person commented.
They added: "The force of lava is something else to view close up."
"Brave work here but kind of risky I think,' a second added while a third remarked: "These men are brave as heck working while lava is coming."
The town of Grindavík was evacuated at the end of last year following earthquake activity.
This led to an eruption on December 18, followed by a second eruption in January, in which homes were destroyed due to lava making its way to the southwestern town.