The seaside village of Grindavik was evacuated as a result of Iceland declaring a state of emergency in response to a series of strong earthquakes that shook the southwest and raised fears of a possible volcanic eruption.
A state of emergency for civil defense was declared by the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management in response to the strong earthquake (activity) near Sundhnjukagigar, north of Grindavik. The administration issued a statement warning that “earthquakes can become larger than those that have occurred and this series of events could lead to an eruption.”
800 tremors in a single day.
On Friday, November 10, between midnight and two p.m., the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) recorded about 800 earthquakes, the shallowest of which was at a depth of 3-3.5 kilometers (1.86-2.18 miles).
A growing magma tunnel that may reach Grindavik has caused alarm for Iceland’s Civil Protection Agency (CPA). Authorities were unable to establish whether or not the magma might surface as of Friday night.
Alert: Imminent Volcanic Eruption
“Earthquakes can become larger than those that have occurred and this series of events could lead to an eruption,” according to the CPA. According to the IMO, an eruption might happen “in several days.”
Grindavik Has Plans in Place for Evacuations
About 4,000 people live in the village of Grindavik, which is located 3 kilometers southwest of the epicentre of the earthquake. In the event of an eruption, it has plans for evacuation. There were two powerful earthquakes, the biggest measuring magnitude 5.2, which caused windows and other items to rattle and was felt as far south as Reykjavik.
The IMO observes subterranean magma buildup, pointing to a possible eruption. They predict that the magma may take many days to rise to the surface. Lava would flow southeast and west rather than towards Grindavik if a fissure formed where seismic activity is higher.
Notice from the US Embassy
Because there are further indications of volcanic activity in the area, the US Embassy in Iceland has issued a volcano alert. “If there is an eruption, heed the authorities in Iceland.” Lava, toxic gasses, and thick smoke from fires started by lava are examples of volcanic hazards. Avoid walking on recently formed lava as there might just be a tiny layer of molten lava beneath the surface.
According to them, face masks that are sold commercially (such as dust masks, N95, or surgical/medical masks) do not provide any defense against volcanic gasses that could build up in low-lying places.
Over 24,000 earthquakes have struck the peninsula since late October, with almost 800 occurring in the previous several hours alone, according to a story in The Guardian.
The highest number of active volcanoes in Europe, 33, may be found in Iceland, which is situated on a tectonic plate boundary along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Three eruptions have occurred on the Reykjanes peninsula: in March 2021, August 2022, and July 2023. Luckily, none of the three were close to any buildings or populous areas.
One of Iceland’s lesser ice caps, Eyjafjallajökull, reportedly blocked the sky over Europe during its most recent eruption in 2010, forcing 100,000 flights to be canceled and leaving ten million passengers stranded, according to an AFP story.
