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In recent weeks, several smaller earthquakes have been measured on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. The earthquakes were recorded north of the small fishing village of Grindavík, which has a population of approximately 4,000 people.
Residents were asked to prepare for evacuation.
On Monday of this week alone, 900 small earthquakes were recorded on the peninsula. He writes Meteorological Institute of Iceland. At the same time, a steady buildup of magma is measured beneath the surface.
This is causing concern on the small island.
Cancels flights
says Kristin Jónsdóttir, head of the department at the Meteorological Institute of Iceland Four wheel drive car It is impossible to determine whether an outbreak will occur or not.
– There appears to be magma in a few places under Reykjaneshalvøya, and we are actually still observing a deep accumulation of magma under Fagradalsfjall, she told the newspaper.
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Reykjanes has the hot spring The Blue Lagoon, which is visited by up to 4,000 people daily.
The main Icelandic tour operator, Reykjavik Excursions, has chosen to cancel all transportation for the next few days to the volcano’s heated pool, as a result of the risk of a volcanic eruption. He writes Berlingsky.
However, the Blue Lagoon is still open to visitors.
– We maintain close communication with the Ministry of Civil Protection and local authorities, and prioritize the safety of our guests and employees. Our buildings in Svartsinje are carefully designed and built to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes. Your security remains our top priority, and we will continue to provide updates as needed, they write on their page.
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– Irresponsible
Amidst the anger of the local authorities.
to Icelandic Medium RÚV Local police chief Álvar Loviksson says that under the current circumstances he considers it “irresponsible” for the Blue Lagoon to remain open.
Icelandic Civil Defense is not so harsh in its verbal pinch. They point out that there is still uncertainty regarding the risk of a volcanic eruption.
See live photos from the area here.
A manager at Blue Lagoon writes to Roof that he is surprised by the disagreement between the police chief and Civil Defense.
In the past three years, the Reykjanes Peninsula southwest of the capital Reykjavik has been hit by three major volcanic eruptions. Berlingske writes that no critical infrastructure was damaged during these outbreaks.
Expert: The lake can be reached in three minutes
In an interview with Icelander Morjønblaid, Ørvaldur Thorarson, professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, says that a volcanic eruption can produce lava at a speed of up to 20 kilometers per hour.
For this reason, response time can be very short for residents of the peninsula.
If the lava rose from the Ilahron craters in the Blue Lagoon, it would reach the tourist attraction within three minutes.
– If we take action when the magma starts to rise to the surface, we will naturally have more time, says Orvaldur.
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