The risk of a volcanic eruption near the Icelandic fishing village of Grindavík has decreased. Therefore, the Icelandic police lowered the alert level of the evacuated area from “emergency” to “danger.” The number of earthquakes has also decreased in the meantime.
look. Drone footage shows an abandoned Icelandic town torn in two
However, the danger is not completely over. The soil of the Svartsinje volcanic system, north of the city, continues to swell and liquid rock could flow into a magma tunnel under Grindavik, according to Civil Protection. The explosion risk applies mainly to the area northeast of the city. There is a geothermal power plant in that area that provides heating for 30,000 people.
As the intensity of the quake subsided, groups of Grindavik residents were allowed to return to their homes briefly last week to secure their belongings. According to Civil Protection, less stringent measures will now be applied. For example, residents will be allowed into the village for five hours on Thursday, provided they obtain permission.
Grindavik is located about 40 kilometers southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, and has been threatened by a possible volcanic eruption for more than a week. The population of about 3,700 people were forced to leave their homes on Saturday evening due to a magma tunnel about 15 kilometers long that extends under the village to the seabed. The tourist attraction Blue Lagoon, a geothermal lake located southwest of the capital Reykjavik, has also been closed as a precaution.
Read also. “The next volcanic eruption in Iceland may also have consequences for Europe” (+)
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