Earthquake interrupts Grindavik mayor’s interview
An Icelandic volcano could erupt in ‘hours or days’, experts have warned, as 3,000 residents have been evacuated from the southwestern town of Grindavik.
After 1,485 earthquakes have rocked the country over the past 48 hours, Iceland residents are bracing themselves for the eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office said there was a “considerable” risk of an eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula due to the size of the underground magma intrusion and the rate at which it was moving.
“I don’t think it’s long before an eruption, hours or a few days. The chance of an eruption has increased significantly,” Thorvaldur Thordarson, professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, told state broadcaster RUV.
The UK have ramped up its advice to British travellers, saying it is “increasingly possible” that a volcanic eruption could occur.
However, they advise: “Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal. While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.”
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The town of Grindavík, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.
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The town of Grindavík, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 15:30
Eruption could be ‘hours or days’
Icelandic authorities have completed the evacuation of 3,000 residents of a town in the southwest of the island over concerns of a volcanic eruption after a series of earthquakes and evidence of magma spreading underground.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office said on Saturday there was a “considerable” risk of an eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula because the size of the underground magma intrusion and the rate at which it was moving.
“I don’t think it’s long before an eruption, hours or a few days. The chance of an eruption has increased significantly,” Thorvaldur Thordarson, professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, told state broadcaster RUV.
Iceland‘s Civil Protection Agency overnight ordered a complete evacuation of Grindavik, a nearby fishing town, although it emphasized this was not an emergency evacuation.
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 14:49
Mapped: Iceland earthquake locations revealed as volcano eruption alert issued
Iceland is experiencing a seismic swarm as 1,485 earthquakes have hit the country in just 48 hours prompting fears of a volcanic eruption.
Most tremours have been felt in the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country where small earthquakes have been felt every day for more than two weeks due to a build-up of volcanic magma three miles underground.
The UK foreign office has updated its travel advice, warning that a volcanic eruption is increasingly likely.
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 14:30
Experts warn of the growing warning of a volcano
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 13:30
Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?
Iceland has declared a state of emergency as hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.
Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.
The first of 14 scheduled flights on Saturday from the UK took off without incident from London’s Luton Airport at 6.32am and landed at 9.33am at Keflavik international airport, about 10 miles north of the eruption site.
The 7.40am flight from Manchester airport also safely arrived at Keflavik international airport at 10.30am.
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 12:30
Foreign Office steps up warning to British travellers
The Foreign Office has just updated its advice to British travellers, saying it is “increasingly possible” that a volcanic eruption could occur.
The official warning on “volcanic eruption and earthquakes” reads: “Earthquakes and indications 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 Mt Thorbjörn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon.
On 10 November, a Civil Protection Alert was declared after an intense swarm of earthquakes.
“The town of Grindavík was evacuated as a precaution. Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area.
“Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal. While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur.
“You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.”
The advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning airlines and holiday companies are operating as normal – with no automatic right to cancel.
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 11:53
Magma tunnel lies under Grindavík
A professor of geophysics says the magma tunnel under Grindavík has reached its full width, report Ríkisútvarpið is Iceland’s national public-service broadcasting organization.
He told RUV: ““We have no idea how big the eruption would be if it did happen. There is nothing certain about the subject. There is great uncertainty as to how big it will be on the surface and where exactly it would erupt if it did.”
Lydia Patrick11 November 2023 11:34