https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/new-national-stadium-planned-in-iceland/

Iceland

New national stadium planned in Iceland

Published 16 March 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Hugi Ólafsson/CC BY 2.0

The stadium is expected to cost around 15 billion Icelandic kroner (around €100 million).

Iceland is planning to build a new national stadium with a capacity of 8600 spectators. The goal is to host the Men’s Handball World Championship in 2029 or 2031.

The stadium is expected to open to the public in 2027 or 2028, but it is not yet clear what it will look like. Therefore, an open competition for the design and construction of the building has been organized. The design competition is open to teams consisting of an architect, an engineer, and contractors. Qualified teams will also receive funding to prepare a design proposal and tender in accordance with cost projections, reports Icelandic Review.

The building, which will be located in Laugardalur in Reykjavík, is estimated to cost about 15 billion Icelandic kronur, or about €100 million. It will be owned 55% by the Icelandic government and 45% by the City of Reykjavík.

Together with Denmark and Norway, Iceland has applied to host the men’s handball world championship in 2029 or 2031, which would be held at the new stadium.

There are also plans to build a football stadium and an athletics stadium, but the focus will be on the national stadium as it will be easier to complete and will also benefit youth sports and local sports clubs.

Editorial Staff
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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/unusually-cold-in-iceland-last-year/

Iceland

Unusually cold in Iceland last year

Published yesterday 11:22

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Simaron/CC BY-SA 2.0

Snæfellsnes in January 2024.

2024 was recorded as the coldest year in Iceland in the last 27 years, according to the country’s meteorological office. Temperatures were below average for most of the year.

The national average temperature in Iceland was 0.8°C below the average for the period 1991-2020 last year, Icelandic state broadcaster RUV reports. Winter temperatures were below the national average, and although spring was close to average, April was particularly cold with heavy precipitation and snow in the north-east until the end of the month.

Summer was also unusually cold, with temperatures below normal in all summer months except July. In the fall, November offered an unusual contrast: the first half was very warm, while the second half was significantly colder than average.

According to Veðurstofa Íslands, Iceland’s meteorological office, 2024 was the coldest year since 1998.

The highest temperature of the year, 27.5°C, was recorded at Egilsstaðir Airport in eastern Iceland on July 14. The lowest temperature of the year, -28.6°C, was recorded at Svartárkot in northern Iceland on December 31.

Editorial Staff
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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/young-icelanders-want-to-ban-whaling/

Iceland

Young Icelanders want to ban whaling

Published 13 January 2025

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Dagur Brynjólfsson/CC BY-SA 2.0

The Icelandic whaling vessel Hvalur 9 RE-399.

More than half of Iceland’s 18-29 year olds are in favor of banning whaling altogether – while older generations are much more hesitant about a ban.

In December, Iceland’s outgoing prime minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, gave the go-ahead for whaling in the country for the next five years. A license to hunt herring whales was also granted last summer, but as the permit came too late in the season, no whaling took place in Iceland this year.

Almost half of Icelanders are dissatisfied with the recently granted whaling license, according to a survey conducted by Maskína in December. At the same time, a third say they are satisfied, Icelandic state broadcaster RUV reports.

Of men, 45% support whaling, while only 23% of women back the decision. At the same time, the survey shows that there is significant opposition to a total ban on whaling, with a majority of Sjálfststæðisflokkurinn (Independence Party) voters, for example, opposing a legal ban.

More than half of Icelandic women support a ban on whaling. The same is true for more than half of 18-29 year olds, while around 50% of people in the 30-39 age group are also in favor of a ban.

A majority of people in the 50-59 and 60+ age groups are against a ban on whale hunting.

Editorial Staff
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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/more-volcanic-eruptions-in-iceland-as-tourists-defy-warnings/

Iceland

More volcanic eruptions in Iceland as tourists defy warnings

Published 22 November 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Montage. Photo: faksimil/RUV

During the night leading into Thursday, Iceland experienced yet another volcanic eruption. The lava flow reached a parking lot in an evacuated tourist area, and despite barriers, tourists made their way to the edge of the lava to take photos.

A year ago, the Reykjanes Peninsula was hit by an earthquake that triggered a volcanic eruption. Since then, several eruptions have occurred, resulting in widespread evacuations, especially from the town of Grindavík and the popular Blue Lagoon spa. Although no people have been injured, the material damage caused by the eruptions so far amounts to around €538 million.

A new eruption has now occurred in the area, the seventh this year. Again, tourists from the Blue Lagoon and the few remaining residents of Grindavík were evacuated in an operation described as successful. The lava flow is said to have crossed a road near the town, affecting both electricity and hot water supplies.

Going to the edge of the lava

The lava flow continued towards the Blue Lagoon and eventually reached the parking lot in the area. According to the Icelandic state broadcaster RUV, the lava also reached a service building adjacent to the parking lot.

Although the area was cordoned off and off-limits, it was reported yesterday that tourists had entered to see the lava. They are said to have walked close to the lava edge and are described as unaware of the risks they were exposing themselves to.

“Despite cordon signs, warnings from civil defense and the fact that lava is molten, liquid, superheated rock, a number of people have, remarkably, walked right up to the edge”, writes RUV.

Rescuers were immediately alerted and evacuated the tourists from the area without any injuries.

Experts express surprise at the outbreak, describing it as “unlikely” that another one would occur now. At the same time, some scientists believe that this could be the beginning of a new volcanic period on the peninsula, which could potentially last for decades.

Editorial Staff
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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/future-of-icelandic-town-uncertain-after-volcanic-eruptions/

Iceland

Future of Icelandic town uncertain after volcanic eruptions

Published 14 November 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Icelandic Coast Guard/FB

Only around 100 out of 1600 residents have so far chosen to return to their homes.

Following the volcanic eruptions, the Icelandic government estimates the damage to Grindavík at ISK 80 billion (€538 million). Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson says the future of the town is uncertain and that reconstruction will require patience.

It was about a year ago that earthquakes and threats of volcanic eruptions led to the evacuation of all residents of the town. In a short time, Grindavík was hit by hundreds of earthquakes and magma was found to be flowing in a 15-kilometer-long fissure 800 meters underground.

Shortly after the earthquakes, the first volcanic eruption occurred, and since then the area has experienced five more eruptions. Although protective walls were erected around the city, the lava still flowed in and set buildings on fire.

Billions of kroner in damages

A new report by Iceland’s Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, maps out the costs of the damage in Grindavík and possible future scenarios for the town, as reported by Iceland Review. The total expenditure and investment costs of the Icelandic state as a result of the outbreaks are estimated at ISK 80 billion, equivalent to about €538 million.

Most of the costs are linked to a public investment company that has been buying up homes from residents who want to sell after the outbreaks. Additional costs relate to the protective walls that were set up around the city.

While a large proportion of properties in Grindavík escaped serious damage, 63 buildings were damaged beyond repair. Most of the damage was caused by the earthquakes, not by the lava from the eruptions.

Residents have now been allowed to return to their homes, but although 1,600 people are registered in Grindavík, only around 100 appear to have returned.

The Prime Minister emphasizes that the rebuilding process requires patience, partly because it is still unclear whether the volcanic eruptions will continue. According to researchers from Uppsala University and elsewhere, there is a risk that the eruptions could continue for decades to come.

Editorial Staff
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Polaris of Enlightenment

Polaris of Enlightenment