The entire population of the town of Grindavik on the peninsula of the same name, near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, rushed to evacuate their homes early on November 11 (local time) after authorities detected signs of an imminent volcanic eruption nearby.
Experts raised alarms as they observed lava from a depth of 5,000 meters rising to just 800 meters below the surface within a few days. This movement has triggered hundreds of earthquakes, signaling the potential awakening of Fagradalsfjall volcano.
Geology professor Pall Einarrson from the University of Iceland stated that seismic activity began in the northern region of Grindavik, where a network of approximately 2,000-year-old craters is present. The lava corridor is about 10 kilometers long and is expanding.
The town of Grindavik is located near a geothermal power plant that supplies electricity to about 30,000 residents on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The town, which has a population of around 4,000, is also close to the Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist destination that has now closed due to the volcanic threat.
A crack in the road after seismic activity. (Photo: Reuters).
“We are genuinely concerned about all the homes and infrastructure in the area,” AFP quoted Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management Agency. “The flow of lava is close to the surface, so we expect an eruption could occur within a few hours or days,” Reynisson added.
The most likely scenario is that lava will erupt from a crack in the ground near Grindavik. “There is a crack approximately 15 kilometers long, and any point along this crack could potentially erupt,” Reynisson explained. However, he did not rule out the possibility of an underwater eruption, which would create a massive ash cloud over the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The earthquakes and ground swelling due to the intrusion of lava have damaged many roads and residential areas in Grindavik and the surrounding region. In response to the situation, the Icelandic government, which has 33 active volcanic systems, declared a state of emergency and ordered a mandatory evacuation for the town of Grindavik. Temporary shelters and support centers have been opened in nearby towns. However, most residents of Grindavik have chosen to stay with relatives or friends.
“At this moment, it is still unclear whether lava will erupt on the surface, and if so, from where,” according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO). Authorities have also raised the aviation alert level to “orange.”
Sara Barsotti, the IMO coordinator for volcanic hazards, stated that they were taken aback by the rapid developments and the volume of lava accumulating in a short period. “We are witnessing something that has never happened before,” AFP quoted Barsotti.
