Iceland declared a state of emergency on Friday following a series of powerful earthquakes in the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, raising concerns of a potential volcanic eruption.
The Icelandic Met Office recorded about 1,400 earthquakes in the 24 hours preceding Thursday noon and another 800 in the first 14 hours of Friday. Seven of Thursday’s earthquakes, with a magnitude of four or higher, were located on the peninsula.
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management declared a state of emergency, warning of the possibility of larger earthquakes leading to an eruption. The IMO suggested an eruption could occur in several days.
The Blue Lagoon, a popular geothermal mineral bath on the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its geothermal pools and mineral-rich spa, announced its closure until 7 am on November 16.
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The closure aims to prioritize safety and well-being, mitigating disruptions to guests’ experiences and alleviating pressure on employees. Grindavik, a village near the earthquake swarm area, has evacuation plans in case of an eruption.
The IMO explained that if magma accumulation underground at a depth of about five kilometers starts moving towards the surface, it could lead to a volcanic eruption. The likely scenario is that magma reaching the surface might take several days.
CNN reported that the National police chief declared a state of emergency for civil defense due to intense earthquake activity north of Grindavik, specifically at Sundhnjukagigar.
The IMO emphasized the potential for earthquakes to become larger, leading to a volcanic eruption in the coming days. The scenario described by the IMO suggests that if a fissure were to appear where seismic activity is highest, lava would flow southeast and west but not towards Grindavik.
