News Excerpt:

Iceland is building dykes the size of three-storey buildings to protect a vital power plant and homes from lava flows near the capital Reykjavik.

• The volcanoes here that were dormant for nearly 800 years became active.

About the news:

Prone to volcanic activity:

• Six active volcanic systems spanning Iceland's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, home to nearly 8% of the country's total population, are expected to remain active for up to three centuries.
• These systems form an underground meshwork extending to the capital's edges, which has experienced five eruptions since 2021.

Proactive measures:

• Due to potential eruption concerns, authorities are building defence walls around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant.
• Bulldozers, excavators, and haul trucks are working around the plant, using 560,000 cubic meters of gravel and solidified lava rock to protect it.
• The goal is to redirect lava flow beside barriers, as attempting to stop it will accumulate lava and eventually cross the barriers.
• Iceland is constructing defences around the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated by nearly 4,000 residents last year.
• The first barrier diverted lava away, but fissures opened on the other side, causing lava to reach the town and set houses on fire.
• The largest barriers are 40 meters wide, eight to ten meters high, and four meters wide at the top.
• The seven-kilometre half-circle around Grindavik is expected to take six weeks, using twice as much material as Svartsengi.
• The Department for Civil Protection is also digging hot water pipelines deeper underground and lifting power and telecom lines higher to protect them.
• Attempts are also being made to insulate overland pipelines and power cables from hot lava.

Past experience:

• Icelanders have been building defence walls since 1973, following a 1973 eruption that forced the evacuation of Vestmannaeyjar.
• Numerous eruptions have struck Iceland since, but usually away from towns and critical infrastructure.
• In 2021, volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula led to fresh attempts at building defence barriers.
• Engineers are now focusing on the height and steepness of the barriers, as they are already operational, providing valuable knowledge for future construction and usage.

Conclusion:

Iceland is setting an example of proactiveness in mitigating the risks associated with volcanic activity and protecting communities and critical infrastructure. It shows the world how lives and infrastructure can be protected in the face of disaster. India can replicate the proactiveness while facing disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods.