Iceland has declared a state of emergency as police officials urge residents of the coastal town of Grindavík to evacuate immediately. This follows an intense wave of earthquakes in the southwest of the country, which are linked to a possible volcanic eruption.
Nearly 800 earthquakes were recorded between midnight and 2pm on Friday, with the shallowest at a depth of 3-3.5 kilometres. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that a magma tunnel is forming and could reach Grindavík. However, as of Friday evening, it has been impossible to tell if and where the magma might rise to the surface.
The Civil Protection Agency warns that the earthquakes may become larger than those that have already occurred, causing a possible eruption. However, there are still no signs of the magma reaching the surface and its progress is being closely monitored.
The authorities have urged residents to evacuate calmly, stressing that there is no imminent danger. Residents are advised to prepare, secure their belongings and leave the city calmly. The Civil Protection Agency recognizes that these events are unprecedented in Iceland’s recent history, but assures the public that they will face this challenge together and remain resilient.
The US Embassy in Iceland has issued a volcano alert, warning of increased signs of volcanic activity. They advise everyone to follow the instructions of Icelandic authorities in the event of an eruption, as volcanic hazards can include lava, toxic gases and heavy smoke.
The area’s world-famous Blue Lagoon thermal pool has already closed due to ongoing seismic activity. Since 2021, Iceland has experienced an eruption almost every 12 months, with the latest occurring in July south of the capital, Reykjavík.
Iceland lies on a tectonic plate boundary that is continuously dividing, pushing North America and Eurasia apart from each other along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge line. It is home to 32 active volcanoes.
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