The resource of geothermal energy has long been paramount for Icelanders, as one of the nation’s most precious assets. It tends to be underestimated how much wealth lies in having access to such hot water, as locals have become accustomed to it. Geothermal energy and hot water have significantly shaped the nation throughout the ages. They provide essential heating in a country where weather conditions are challenging for a large part of the year. But beyond practicality, they also play a vital role in Icelandic culture, from public swimming pools to hot pots where locals seek relaxation, health benefits, and social interaction. Even back when Snorri Sturluson relaxed in a hot pool and contemplated the nation’s well-being and long-term necessities, geothermal resources were already part of Iceland’s heritage.
Today, geothermal energy remains a cornerstone of the nation, and hot water is an indispensable element in Iceland’s history and culture. However, there are warning signs on the horizon. The more dangerous side of geothermal heat—earthquakes and volcanic eruptions—has uncomfortably reminded us of its presence in the last 3 years. For the first time since the Vestman Islands eruption in January 1973, eruptions have occurred perilously close to inhabited areas, causing destruction and displacing people from their homes, in the fishing village of Grindavík to be exact. The geothermal infrastructure on the Reykjanes Peninsula is also at risk due to repeated volcanic activity. If the HS Orka power plant were to be buried under lava, the damage would be immense. The same holds true for the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular tourist destinations located right next to the geothermal power plant. Since March 19, 2021, there have been eight eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula, and predicting the duration of the ongoing volcanic period remains uncertain. Human lifetimes are short in geological terms, and it’s possible that eruptions will continue intermittently for 200 years from the time this article is published. Hopefully, further damage can be minimized, but at this moment, we cannot predict what lies ahead.
.Einar Th. Thorsteinsson
Artikel von Icelandic Times – Deutsche Ausg. 10
