cpnewsIceland declared a state of emergency on Friday following a series of powerful earthquakes that rocked the country’s southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, possibly signalling the start of a volcanic eruption.
“Due to the intense earthquake (activity) at Sundhnjukagigar, north of Grindavik, the National Police Chief, declares a state of emergency for civil defence,” the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management said in a statement. Earthquakes can become more powerful than those that have already occurred, and this chain of events could result in an eruption,” the administration warned.
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) predicted an eruption “within a few days.”Grindavik, a village of about 4,000 people, is about three kilometres (1.86 miles) southwest of the location of Friday’s earthquake swarm.In the event of an eruption, it has evacuation plans in place.
Over 150 earthquakes have been reported in the region in the last hour alone, indicating a heightened seismic threat. Residents and authorities are on high alert, keeping a close eye on the situation for any potential volcanic eruptions.
On Thursday, the Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist destination located near Grindavik famed for its geothermal spas and luxury hotels, closed as a precaution following another earthquake swarm.
Also nearby is the Svartsengi geothermal plant, the main supplier of electricity and water to 30,000 residents on the Reykjanes peninsula.
It has contingency plans in place to protect the plant and its workers in the event of an eruption.
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