Huge cracks appear on roads in Icelandic town at risk of volcanic eruption
A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.
The country has been shaken by more than 800 small earthquakes today alone, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.
Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station.
Select residents of the town have been allowed to return briefly this week to save valuables and care for animals and pets.
Ragga Agustsdottir, who lives close to Grindavik, said residents were fearful of what could happen if an eruption struck. “The scenario on the table now is that it will happen in or just north of the town of Grindavik. There’s no good option here,” she told The Independent.
On Tuesday authorities scrambled to build a defence wall around the Svartsengi power plant, located just over six kilometers from Grindavik, to protect it from lava flows amid fears of an eruption.
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Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town
Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.
“All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.
Huge cracks appear on roads in Iceland’s volcano-threatened town
Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption. Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks. In the coastal town of Grindavik, where thousands of people have been evacuated, road surfaces have cracked and crumbled away. “All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 04:00
Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon to remain shut till 30 November
Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon spa will remain shut till 30 November amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.
The geothermal spa southwest of Reykjavik, which is one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations, was closed on 9 November following a series of earthquakes that hit the region.
“Considering disruptions to our guests’ experience and the sustained pressure on our employees, these precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety and wellbeing for all,” it said in a statement.
“The closure will remain in effect until 7am on November 30, at which point the situation will be reassessed,” it added.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 November 2023 03:21
Grindavik couple fear losing their home after evacuating: ‘It’s a pretty grim situation’
A man who evacuated from a town in Iceland after earthquakes put the region on alert for a volcanic eruption said he fears he might never see his home again.
Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday, packing only a few essential items, to stay with Mr Gunnarsson’s mother in Reykjavik.
Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 03:00
Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake
Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarsson’s home when the volcano erupted.
Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake
A couple cling to one another as their house shakes violently in an earthquake during a volcanic eruption in Iceland. Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, 29, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday (10 November) as his house shook and locals frantically evacuated the area. Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarsson’s home when the volcano erupted. Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 02:00
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The town of Grindavík, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 00:00
Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?
Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.
On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.
Tom Watling15 November 2023 23:00
Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town
Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.
“All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.
Huge cracks appear on roads in Iceland’s volcano-threatened town
Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption. Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks. In the coastal town of Grindavik, where thousands of people have been evacuated, road surfaces have cracked and crumbled away. “All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.
Tom Watling15 November 2023 22:00
Power outage reported in Grindavik
A power outage has hit eastern parts of Grindavik, the area closest to the volatile volcano.
Tom Watling15 November 2023 21:00