Lavaflows and protection of infrastructure, the Grindavík saga

The lecture covers the eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula from the point of view of the worker on the ground. In February 2021, the National Civil Protection established to suggest mitigation projects to protect critical infrastructure. Soon after, a an eruption broke out in Fagradalsfjall, where several experimental defense structures were built and at the same time large influx of tourists and later wildfires created significant operational challenges. Since seismic activity began at Svartsengi and Grindavík, a large consortium of contractors has been working in the area to protect and, no less, rebuild infrastructure in a broad sense. Since November 10, 2023, more than 12 km of dikes have been built to protect the infrastructure from flow of lava from six volcanic eruptions, lava now surrounds Grindavík on all sides and lava has flowed in three directions towards Svartsengi with various consequences.