Iceland Harnesses Dirt Barriers to Protect Towns from Lava

Speedy Summary:

• Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted in 2021 after 800 years of dormancy, prompting experts to implement measures to protect nearby civilians and infrastructure.
• The Icelandic Department of Civil Protection and emergency Management constructed defensive barriers made of dirt and stone, including embankment dams up to 26 feet tall and barriers up to 1100 feet long, successfully diverting lava flows.
• A field study led by NTNU Professor Fjola Gudrun Sigtryggsdottir analyzed the effectiveness of thes measures, finding that they delayed lava flow for up to 16 days and protected critical areas like Grindavík town.
• The success contributed valuable data for future eruptions; protections established during the volcano’s continued activity in late 2023 were credited with saving Grindavík town and a geothermal power plant from lava damage.
• Monitoring continues as new fissures have appeared near Grindavík.

Indian Opinion analysis:

Iceland’s approach demonstrates how proactive planning can mitigate natural disasters. For India-a country prone to floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other calamities-the lessons from this study emphasize the importance of early intervention techniques based on scientific research. Constructing adaptive protective structures using locally available materials aligns well with India’s resource-driven crisis management model. Moreover, collaboration between civil authorities, researchers, engineers, and community stakeholders echoes principles applicable in Indian contexts where local knowledge frequently enough complements modern technological solutions.

India could benefit from adopting similar strategies for regions vulnerable to volcanic eruptions or analogous threats (e.g.,glacial lake outburst floods in himalayan valleys). Incorporating such preventive efforts into disaster preparedness plans may reduce long-term costs associated with rebuilding damaged infrastructure while safeguarding civilian life.

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