Firefighters are working around the clock in Iceland trying to cool different areas of the volcano as a plan to prevent a new eruption, or at least minimize the damage.
Iceland runs to take refuge in the face of a new volcanic eruptionwhich experts predict in the next two weeks.
They have been installed and tested new lava cooling systemsintended to protect the Svartsengi power plant in southwestern Iceland. Since last November, the area has been affected by eruptions and earthquakes.
The lava cooling system
The cooling system consists of four huge water pipes, which lead to the defensive walls of rock and earth, previously erected near the Sundhnúkur craterfrom which the previous lava flows flowed. A volume of water, equivalent to that of a large swimming pool, will be pumped into the lava every hour, if necessary.
Eruptive fissure with lava from a volcanic eruption flowing near the city of Grindavik, Islandiaon Wednesday night, March 20.
“Los defensive walls They are the main protection for Svartsengi and Grindavík. The cooling of the lava comes into play a few days later, explains Haukur Grönli, project manager for Icelandic Civil Protection – Once the lava has risen above the defensive walls, the cooling system is updated. But it is the defensive and guiding walls that constitute the main protection.”
Positive tests for the plant, but still many unknowns
Las tests carried out by the engineers were positive to the point that they can pump water to actively cool lava.
However, there are certain uncertainties, as Börkir Reykjalín Brynjarsson, engineer at the pumping plant, comments: “According to all calculations, the system seems to be working. But there are many uncertainties. Nobody, for example, can tell us where the lava will come from.” .
