Key takeaways:
- All 3,400 residents of Grindavík, a fishing town located an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
- The Icelandic government has urged people to stay away from the area and to follow the instructions of local authorities.
- The Icelandic Civil Protection Department has set up a crisis center in the capital city of Reykjavík and is monitoring the situation closely.
Iceland has declared a state of emergency and evacuated a coastal town due to a significant likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the coming days. On Saturday, all 3,400 residents of Grindavík, a fishing town located an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The town is known internationally for tourist draws like the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, and is about 15 miles from Iceland’s only major airport. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported intense earthquake swarms in the southwestern part of the country in recent weeks, likely tied to the movement of underground magma, or molten rock, in and around the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The U.S. Embassy in Iceland issued its own volcano alert Friday, saying seismic activity created ruptures on the primary road to Grindavik. The Icelandic government has urged people to stay away from the area and to follow the instructions of local authorities.
The Icelandic Civil Protection Department has set up a crisis center in the capital city of Reykjavík and is monitoring the situation closely. The department has also issued a warning to the public to be prepared for possible ashfall and other effects of a volcanic eruption.
The Icelandic government is working to ensure the safety of its citizens and is taking all necessary precautions to prepare for a possible volcanic eruption.
Be First to Comment