A volcano in Iceland could spew lava for “weeks”, an expert has warned, as fears grow that an eruption is “imminent” as at least 2,800 tremors were recorded in the last day.
The Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the youngest part of Iceland, threatens to “wipe out” the city of Grindavik. 4,000 residents were evacuated after a state of emergency was declared on Friday.
“We are really concerned about all the houses and infrastructure in the area,” said Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
“The magma is now at a very shallow depth, so we expect an eruption within a few hours, or at least within a few days.”
Molten magma has accumulated three miles beneath Grindavik, and experts now say a roughly 15-kilometer-long “corridor” has developed beneath the city – with a volcanic eruption possible anywhere along the intrusion.
Cracks appear on a road due to volcanic activity near Grindavik, Iceland, November 11, 2023
Volcanic activity in Grindavik causes cracks to appear on a road. There were warnings that a volcanic eruption could “wipe out” the city
In the southwestern city, roads were destroyed and 4,000 people were evacuated following earthquakes
The Fagradalsfjall volcano spews lava after an eruption on July 16, 2023
At least 2,800 earthquakes were recorded in the region northwest of Grindavik, all with a magnitude below 3.0.
Reynisson said the most likely scenario would be that the rift would lead to an eruption somewhere near Grindavik.
“We have a fissure that is about 15 kilometers long, and anywhere in that fissure we can see that an eruption could occur,” he said.
Icelanders are essentially “just waiting,” local journalist Holmfridur Gisladottir told Sky News after hundreds of earthquakes hit the island overnight.
A threatened eruption has relived for many locals the trauma of the 2010 explosion at another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull.
A huge ash cloud emerged that led to the largest shutdown of global aviation since World War II – 50,000 flights were canceled and eight million passengers were affected.
Discussing the differences between a possible eruption of Fagradalsfjall and Eyjafjallajökull, an official from the Icelandic Met Office said that an eruption could spray lava over the city, but it was less likely that the same ash explosion would occur.
Matthew James Roberts, the managing director of services and research, told BBC R4’s Today program: “Firstly, there is no ice cap on top and it is not a stratovolcano, so there would be no explosive explosion of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
“This would be a lava-producing volcanic eruption along a line of fishermen and that would be the greatest danger.”
“Lava blowout is an eruption that can last for weeks and means roads and other forms of infrastructure could ultimately be at risk.”
Volcanic activity in Grindavik causes cracks to appear on a road
A general overview of damage due to volcanic activity at a golf course in Grindavik, Iceland, November 11
Resident Ragga Ágústdóttir, who lives near Grinvadik, warned that “the town could be destroyed.”
“The scenario currently on the table is that it will happen in or north of the city of Grindavik.” “There is no good option here,” she said.
Pictures show gaping chasms opening up around the city, streets destroyed, sidewalks torn up and land slipping on a golf course.
All roads leading into the city are reportedly closed, while roads to Iceland’s international airports in the north of the peninsula remain open.
Iceland’s former president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson drew attention to a series of earthquakes near the island of Eldey, off the Reykjanes peninsula.
On the way to
Thorvaldur Thordarson, a professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, told state broadcaster RUV over the weekend: “I don’t think it takes long for an eruption, hours or a few days.” “The likelihood of an eruption has increased significantly.” ,
Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area shifted south toward the city, with a corridor of magma or semi-molten rock believed to extend beneath the community, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.
Locals in the area were given just 15 minutes to return after their homes were evacuated and collect their pets and essentials.
Pictured: Caitlin McLean and Gisli Gunnarsson, who had to be evacuated
Lava splashes after the eruption of a volcano on Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, July 12, 2023
Mr Gunnarsson, a music composer, said: “At around four on Friday the earthquakes started to be non-stop. Just big earthquakes that last for hours.
“First and foremost, the thought that you may never see your hometown again is hard.
“We all fled (Grindavik) so quickly, within a few hours, that at that point we didn’t really think that it might be the last time we would see our home. So that was difficult.”
“It’s a pretty grim situation at the moment.”
Residents who had fled their homes were allowed to return “quickly” to pick up essentials.
Civil defense was awaiting a risk assessment, but was able to allow a small number of Grindavík locals back into their homes.
People were allowed to pick up their belongings street by street for between fifteen and 30 minutes, accompanied by emergency services.
Many pets were left behind during the evacuation, so the plan allowed owners to get their beloved animals to safety.
Ms McLean, an artist, added that the situation was “difficult to understand” for people.
She said: “I think it’s difficult for residents to really process this.”
Rescue workers in front of Grindavik on November 12, 2023 in Grindavik, Iceland
Children bring food to police and rescue workers outside Grindavik on November 12th
The town of Grindavik is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Reykjavik
“I think everyone is still a bit in shock and it’s not entirely clear yet that there’s a chance they won’t be able to go home.”
Ms McLean has urged volcano enthusiasts to avoid the area and to be “respectful” to people whose homes are affected.
She said: “I would definitely say there are quite a few people who want to fly (to Iceland), for example people who are interested in volcanoes and lava.”
“They are trying to keep tourists away because there are already people trying to fly drones over the city.”
“I understand this is a big spectacle for a lot of people, but these people may be losing their homes, so just be respectful.”
Mr Gunnarsson said Friday’s earthquakes were the worst he had ever experienced.
He said: “Right now even the search and rescue teams aren’t really going into the city.”
Iceland is experiencing nationwide panic over fears of a possible volcanic eruption
The country has been hit by a seismic swarm over the past two weeks, forcing locals to evacuate
The country declared a state of emergency and 4,000 people were evacuated overnight
“The uncertainty is too great and an outbreak could occur at any moment.”
The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, announced on Thursday that it would remain closed until November 16 due to the risk of an eruption.
Iceland declared a state of emergency on Friday after a series of earthquakes shook the country’s southwestern Reykjanes Peninsula, where the capital Reykjavik is located.
Grindavik Mayor Fannar Jónasson was giving a live interview to Icelandic television when he was interrupted by a tremor.
Mr. Jónasson was speaking to the Fréttastofa RÚV news agency on Friday, November 10, when suddenly the camera began to shake.
He stopped mid-sentence and you could also see the building shaking in the background.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, almost 800 quakes were recorded between midnight and 2 p.m. on Friday, with the shallowest depth between 2.96 and 3.58 kilometers.
Magma is a mixture of molten and semi-molten rock found beneath the Earth’s surface that can erupt on the surface and become lava.
The civil protection agency said: “Earthquakes could become stronger than those that have already occurred and this sequence of events could lead to an eruption.”
“However, there are still no signs that the magma is approaching the surface.” Progress is being closely monitored.
“We would like to reiterate that residents MUST vacate their homes and leave the city.”
“But we would also like to emphasize that this is not an emergency evacuation, there is enough time to prepare, secure things and drive out of the city in peace and quiet.”
The mayor of Grindavik, Fannar Jónasson, was giving a live TV interview when an earthquake struck
A huge crack in the ground in the Grindavik area after hundreds of earthquakes
Fagradalsfjall volcano spews lava after an eruption in Reykjavik, Iceland
“It is clear that we are dealing with events that we Icelanders have never experienced before, at least not since the eruption in Vestmannaeyjar.” “We have overcome this together, we will face it together and we will not be discouraged lose.”
The British Foreign Office has warned the public that a volcanic eruption is becoming increasingly likely.
The official statement said: “Earthquakes and signs of volcanic activity have increased above normal levels on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik.”
“The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely, particularly the area northwest of Mount Thorbjörn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon.”
“On November 10th, a civil protection alert was declared following a violent earthquake swarm.
“The city of Grindavik was evacuated as a precautionary measure. Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area.
“Keflavik International Airport is operating as usual. Although there is currently no outbreak, it is increasingly likely that one could occur.”
As airlines and tour operators continue business as usual, travelers should not expect to change their plans.
However, the UK Foreign Office has warned travelers that “travel safety cannot be guaranteed”.