Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption after the nation was rattled by a series of earthquakes

Iceland is bracing for a potential volcanic eruption following a series of earthquakes that prompted officials to declare a state of emergency. Substantial cracks in roads have appeared in the Icelandic town of Grindavik, where most of the tremors occurred. The town’s main street has become impassable due to large cracks, and steam is visible rising from the ground. As a precaution, approximately 4,000 residents of Grindavik were evacuated after an evacuation order was issued on Saturday.

Despite a brief return window for residents to collect belongings on Monday, fears of an imminent eruption persist, especially after the discovery of a sinkhole on Sunday. Volcanologist Thorvaldur Þórðarson emphasized that the sinkhole’s formation, reaching a depth of one meter in Grindavík, suggests that the magma tunnel beneath the town is very close to the surface, indicating an impending eruption within the town’s limits.

A state of emergency was declared in Iceland on Friday after powerful earthquakes rocked the southwestern Reykjanes Peninsula. The probability of an eruption remains high, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Institute, despite a decrease in seismic activity. The institute reported nearly 800 earthquakes between midnight and noon on Tuesday, a lower count than the two previous days.

Rikke Pedersen, head of the Nordic Volcanological Centre in Reykjavik, explained that reduced seismic activity often precedes an eruption, as proximity to the surface limits tension buildup for significant earthquakes. She cautioned against interpreting lower seismic activity as a sign that an outbreak is not imminent. The situation remains dynamic, and officials are closely monitoring developments in anticipation of potential volcanic activity.