Iceland volcanic eruption looms as tremors rip roads open — RT World News
Authorities warned that the fissure could open just minutes after the warning as magma flows towards the Earth’s surface.
Icelandic authorities warned of the possibility of a major volcanic eruption with just a 30-minute warning, as earthquakes continued to shake an area near a coastal town that was evacuated earlier this month.
The eruption is still considered “imminent,” But the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said on Wednesday that it now looked less likely that molten lava would erupt from a magma tunnel directly beneath Grindavik, a town from which about 4,000 residents were forced to flee nearly two weeks ago. The latest seismic data indicates that the eruption will likely occur between Selinjarfell, a few miles north of Grindavik, and Hagafell, to the northeast.
“The probability of a sudden eruption within the city limits of Grindavik is decreasing every day and today is considered low.” IMO said. “It can be assumed that the magma in the tunnel below Grindavik has been partially frozen, which also reduces the possibility of magma suddenly making its way to the surface within the city limits.”
However, scientists have warned that a slowing pace of earthquakes in the region may indicate that magma is approaching the Earth’s surface, making the expected eruption more likely. The International Maritime Organization reported that about 100 earthquakes were recorded between midnight and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, compared to thousands of daily earthquakes earlier this month. Stormy weather and strong waves hampered efforts to monitor seismic activity.
In recent days, emergency officials have allowed small groups of Grindavik residents to return to the city for a few minutes at a time to retrieve some of their belongings. a BBC The reporter accompanied evacuees on one such flight last week, but was ordered to leave Grindavik immediately after high levels of sulfur dioxide were detected.
Iceland’s Ministry of Civil Protection and Emergency Management allowed residents to return to the city between 9am and 4pm on Thursday, citing a reduced risk of a volcanic eruption within the city limits, but… to caution They may need to flee again “Very short notice.”
Grindavik is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 55 kilometers southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. It is located near a popular tourist attraction known as the Blue Lagoon, which has been closed due to the volcano threat. Earthquakes have already destroyed some homes in the town in recent weeks, while giant fissures have torn up roads.
The town of Grindavik in Iceland was evacuated a week ago due to rumbling underground volcanic activity. Local authorities published pictures showing the resulting destruction of roads and buildings. pic.twitter.com/j4tSPhvi7f
– RT (@RT_com) November 19, 2023
“Everything seems so unreal” Grindavik resident Andrea Ivarsdottir told the UK newspaper independent newspaper after being allowed to return to her home for 10 minutes on Monday. “I feel like I’m in a dystopian movie. I’m just waiting to wake up from this nightmare.”
2010 eruption Eyjafjallajökull A volcano in southern Iceland has spewed huge clouds of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, causing the biggest disruption to European flights since World War II.
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