NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — According to experts, the town of Grindavik (Iceland), with a population of 4,000 people, is on the verge of possible destruction due to a nearby volcanic eruption. This catastrophic scenario worries local authorities and residents and requires urgent safety measures.
The town of Grindavik, three kilometers southwest of the epicenter of a series of earthquakes that hit the Reykjanes Peninsula, could have been severely damaged in just a few hours or days.
The head of the Icelandic Civil Protection and Emergency Management Service, Vidir Reynisson, explained that the magma is at shallow depths and an eruption is expected in the near future.
Earthquakes felt across the peninsula and the capital Reykjavik have become a frequent occurrence in recent weeks. More than 2,000 earthquakes have been recorded, and more than a thousand of them occurred in just one night. This is a serious warning about the possibility of an imminent volcanic eruption.
In response to the threat, Iceland declared a state of emergency. The Blue Lagoon, known for its luxury hotels and geothermal spas, was closed as part of precautionary measures.
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management has officially declared a state of emergency due to increased seismic activity in the north of Grindavik. Rescuing farm animals from this danger zone has become impossible due to landslides in Reykjanes, and people are prohibited from entering the area until further notice.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has warned that the volcano could erupt in the next few days. North of Grindavik, two powerful earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.2 occurred, which were felt even in the capital and on the southern coast of the country, leading to destruction and panic.
The north-south road leading to Grindavik was temporarily closed due to damage caused by the earthquake.
More than 24,000 tremors have been recorded on the Reykjanes Peninsula since the beginning of October, and scientists have observed magma accumulating at a depth of about 5 kilometers. If magma reaches the surface, it will create a real threat of a volcanic eruption.
It should be noted that since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula has already experienced three volcanic eruptions. However, they occurred in remote locations and did not pose a threat to populated areas or critical infrastructure.
The Svartsengi geothermal plant, which plays a key role in supplying water and electricity to the peninsula’s 30,000 residents, has also developed contingency plans to ensure the safety of its staff and facilities in the event of a volcanic eruption.
Iceland is home to 33 active volcanic systems, and the current situation is a reminder of the need for natural disaster preparedness in the country.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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