Iceland is facing a state of high alert as meteorological experts warn of a looming volcanic eruption in the Grindavik area, located in the southwest of the country. The region has been experiencing ongoing seismic activity since November 10, prompting significant concerns and actions by authorities.
Residents of Grindavik were forced to evacuate their homes after a state of emergency was declared in anticipation of a potential eruption from the Fagradalsfjall volcano. Over the past six days, continuous earthquakes and tremors have caused roads to buckle and houses to split apart. Visitors have been advised to stay away from the affected area, and road closures are in place.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) issued a warning last weekend following a sharp rise in seismic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula, where Grindavik is located. As of Thursday, the likelihood of an eruption remains significantly high.
Scientists believe that magma is situated just 500 meters below the surface on the outskirts of Grindavik, indicating that an eruption could occur at any moment. Within a 12-hour period from midnight to midday on Tuesday, the area experienced over 700 earthquakes, primarily categorized as micro-earthquakes, although the largest measured at a magnitude of 3.8. Matthew Roberts, working at the IMO, suggests that this could signal the beginning of a new “eruptive cycle.”
In response to the impending threat, Icelandic authorities initiated the construction of defensive barriers around the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant on Tuesday. This power plant is vital for providing electricity to the entire country.
Residents were briefly allowed to return to Grindavik on Tuesday to retrieve essential belongings and personal items. The Icelandic Red Cross described the evacuation as one of the largest in the country’s history, with significant repercussions for all Icelanders.
The ongoing seismic activity has caused damage to homes and infrastructure, leaving some structures on the brink of collapse. These events are unprecedented for many Icelandic residents, and the situation is reminiscent of a significant evacuation that occurred 50 years ago in 1973 when a volcano erupted unexpectedly on the island of Heimaey off the south coast of Iceland, as noted by Dave McGarvie, a volcanologist.
The potential eruption in Grindavik poses a significant concern to the western part of the town, where an underground magma-filled crack exists. If magma reaches the surface and erupts in this area, it could result in the destruction and damage of several houses and buildings. However, this scenario is not currently considered the most likely based on the current understanding of magma movement.
While multiple major roads connecting Grindavik to other regions have been temporarily closed as a precaution, there have been no reported disruptions to flights. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist attraction, has also been temporarily closed.
The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced relatively small eruptions in recent years, none of which posed significant threats to residential areas. The last volcano in Iceland to cause international disruption was Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 when its ash cloud led to grounded flights across Europe.