NEW ERA
Since October, thousands of earthquakes have been detected on the Reykjanes peninsula, a possible precursor to an impending volcanic eruption.
Roughly 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik, a fishing port around 40km from Reykjavik, on Nov 11 after scientists determined that a tunnel of magma was shifting beneath them.
Residents told AFP the series of small earthquakes – sometimes hundreds per day – had damaged roads and buildings.
Since then, they have only been allowed to visit their homes during certain daylight hours.
Authorities have organised occasional trips into the village, escorting those with homes in the most perilous parts as they rescued everything from cherished pets to photo albums, furniture and clothing.
Volcanic eruptions are not uncommon in Iceland, which is home to 33 active volcano systems, the highest number in Europe. But the Reykjanes peninsula had not experienced an eruption for eight centuries until 2021.
Since then, three eruptions have struck, in 2021, 2022 and earlier this year – all in remote, uninhabited areas.
Volcanologists say this could be the start of a new era of activity in the region.
In 2010, the eruption of Iceland’s long-dormant Eyjafjallajokull volcano – an ice-capped volcano more than 1,660 metres tall – shot huge amounts of ash into the atmosphere. That explosive eruption was not fatal, but forced the cancellation of around 100,000 flights and left more than 10 million travellers stranded.
Situated in the North Atlantic, Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Source: CNA
