Iceland warns volcanic eruption amidst earthquakes

Icelandic officials warn on Wednesday that there is a significant probability of a volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland, as the region continues to be shaken by earthquakes.

On November 10, all 3,400 residents of Grindavik were ordered to evacuate the area. According to local officials, evacuations will continue until seismic activity in the area subsides.

The inhabitants have been on edge for several weeks, leading to the evacuation of the entire coastal town of Grindavik due to the looming threat.

Moreover, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reports a daily occurrence of 1,500 to 1,800 earthquakes in the area in recent times.

Increases in seismic activity can often be attributed to the movement of magma, or molten rock, beneath the Earth’s surface.

These clusters of earthquakes, known as swarms, can sometimes signal an impending volcanic eruption. However, it’s still a complex task for scientists to accurately predict such events.

IMO is keeping a close watch on the seismic activity of a volcano beneath the Reykjanes Peninsula. This includes tracking a substantial 9-mile-long magma chamber that extends from Kálfellsheiði to the sea, near Grindavik.

The majority of the earthquakes are occurring around this magma tunnel. However, it’s still uncertain where the magma will break through the Earth’s crust.

On Monday, the area was shaken by over 700 quakes, according to the IMO. However, the next day, the seismic activity decreased considerably and only 165 tremors were reported after midnight.

The agency also said that the decrease in quakes might be due to the poor weather conditions in the country that can affect the performance of the seismic devices to detect the minor shakes.