Possible Volcanic Eruption in Iceland
Officials in Iceland are preparing for a possible volcanic eruption in the wake of hundreds of earthquakes that forced a coastal town along the island nation's southern peninsula to evacuate and prompted a state of emergency. There is a "significant likelihood" that an eruption will happen in the coming days, the Icelandic Meteorological Office warns.
A spike in seismic activity led Icelandic authorities to evacuate the southwestern fishing town of Grindavík, which is about an hour's drive from Reykjavík, the capital city, on Friday night. The town with a population of just over 3,600 people is known internationally for tourist draws like the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, and is about 15 miles from Iceland's only major airport.
Grindavík was evacuated as a precautionary measure, the country's department of civil protection and emergency management said in a bulletin shared online this week, adding that there were no immediate threats to safety. Several shelters were established farther east for Grindavík residents who left their homes.
Reykjanes Peninsula Evacuated Due to Increased Seismic Activity
Officials in Iceland have declared a state of emergency and evacuated the town of Grindavík after increased seismic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula. The evacuation was deemed successful, but police remain in the area for security reasons. Large cracks in the earth near the town have been observed, indicating the dangerous nature of the situation.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported approximately 900 earthquakes in the region between Grindavík and Sundhnúkur since midnight Monday. While seismic activity is ongoing, there has been a decrease in the size and intensity of the earthquakes, according to officials.
The hazard assessment for potential volcanic activity remains the same, but monitoring in the Grindavík area is being conducted closely for any sudden changes, according to the meteorological office.
The state of emergency was declared as a precautionary measure, and the minister for foreign affairs in Iceland, Bjarni Benediktsson, confirmed the successful evacuation of Grindavík. He also stated that the likelihood of a volcanic eruption is considered considerable.
Seismic Activity in Iceland Prompts Evacuation
Authorities in Iceland have evacuated residents in a localised area due to increased seismic activity. The evacuation comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the affected population.
Although the volcanic activity is currently contained and localised, aviation authorities have raised the aviation alert to orange, indicating an increased risk of volcanic eruption. This move is in response to the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010, which caused significant travel disruptions.
Flights to and from Iceland have not been disrupted, and international flight corridors remain open, according to a spokesperson.
