Iceland declares state of emergency over volcanic eruption threat

Iceland declares state of emergency over Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption threat after thousands of tremors raised concerns.

Iceland has declared a state of emergency following a series of earthquakes that have triggered warnings of a volcanic eruption in the southwestern town of Grindavk.

Iceland declares state of emergency over volcanic eruption threat https://t.co/zXEuIR6WTY
— The Guardian (@guardian) November 11, 2023

As a precaution, authorities have ordered thousands of people in Grindavk to evacuate. The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) is afraid that massive amounts of magma (molten rock) are expanding underground and may eventually surface.

In recent weeks, thousands of earthquakes have been recorded near the adjacent Fagradalsfjall volcano.
They have gathered at Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, which had been dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years prior to a 2021 eruption.

Ongoing volcanic unrest in the Reykjanes-Svartsengi volcanic system. For more information go to: https://t.co/9vYBBjNcX9
— Veðurstofa Íslands / Icelandic Met Office (@Vedurstofan) November 9, 2023

Iceland declares state of emergency over volcanic eruption threat

The neighboring Blue Lagoon landmark was closed on November 9 due to increasing seismic activity in the area. Since late October, IMO has recorded more than 20,000 tremors in south-west Iceland.

According to Iceland’s Civil Protection Agency, the decision to evacuate came after IMO couldn’t rule out the magma tunnel. And it is currently forming and reaching Grindvak.

The agency said yesterday in a statement that people needed to leave the town of Grindvak. But it emphasized that it was not an emergency evacuation urging people to remain calm.

The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency has prepared an evacuation strategy should the volcanic activity escalate. Travel within Iceland remains unaffected, but visitors are urged to keep abreast of updates from their booked hotels and excursion providers.
— Los Angeles Magazine (@LAmag) November 10, 2023

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The agency said there is no immediate risk, thus the evacuation is largely preventive because the safety of all Grindavk residents is the main goal.

With roughly 30 active volcanic sites, Iceland is one of the world’s most geographically active regions. Volcanic eruptions occur when magma is lighter than the solid rock that surrounds it. It rises to the earth’s surface from deep within the earth.

Litli-Hrutur, or Little Ram, erupted in the Fagradalsfjall area in July, attracting tourists to the “world’s newest baby volcano.” The location had been inactive for eight centuries before eruptions in 2021, 2022, and 2023.