A 15km-long river of magma running under the peninsula is still active.
Iceland has declared a state of emergency due to the increasing risk of a volcanic eruption, leading to the evacuation of the southwestern town of Grindavík.
The most likely scenario is a fissure opening in the ground near Grindavik, but an eruption on the ocean floor, causing a large ash cloud, cannot be ruled out.
The potential eruption could be explosive if the magma interacts with sea water.
The size and intensity of the earthquakes appear to be decreasing.
The Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant is being protected by a trench to prevent lava from reaching it.
Iceland is currently on high alert due to the increasing risk of a volcanic eruption, leading to the evacuation of the southwestern town of Grindavík. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has observed signs of magma moving closer to the surface, indicating potential volcanic activity. The Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, which provides electricity and geothermal water to a population of 30,000, is being protected by a trench to prevent lava from reaching it. The potential eruption could be explosive if the magma interacts with sea water, but there is also a possibility that the magma will not reach the surface at all.
Thor Thordason, a professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, has indicated that a 15km-long river of magma running under the peninsula is still active. The Reykjanes Peninsula had remained dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years before a 2021 eruption. The size and intensity of the earthquakes appear to be decreasing, however, the IMO also reported about 700 earthquakes in the region since midnight, with the largest a magnitude 3.1 at Hagafell. Land deformation continues in the area, consistent with magma still flowing beneath the earth's surface.
The most likely scenario is a fissure opening in the ground near Grindavik, but an eruption on the ocean floor, causing a large ash cloud, cannot be ruled out. Damage to roads and buildings has already occurred due to the quakes and ground lift. Iceland has 33 active volcanic systems and has experienced three eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in recent years. The aviation alert has been raised to orange, indicating an increased risk of volcanic eruption.
Thor Thordason, a professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, has indicated that a 15km-long river of magma running under the peninsula is still active.
The Reykjanes Peninsula had remained dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years before a 2021 eruption.
The Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, which provides electricity and geothermal water to a population of 30,000, is being protected by a trench to prevent lava reaching it.
The potential eruption could be explosive if the magma interacts with sea water, but there is also a possibility that the magma will not reach the surface at all.
Roads have been damaged due to earthquakes in the area and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa has been closed as a precaution.
The most likely scenario is a fissure opening in the ground near Grindavik, but an eruption on the ocean floor, causing a large ash cloud, cannot be ruled out.
Damage to roads and buildings has already occurred due to the quakes and ground lift.
Iceland has 33 active volcanic systems and has experienced three eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in recent years.
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Residents of Grindavík, Iceland were evacuated due to an increase in sulfur dioxide gas, indicating potential volcanic activity.
The IMO also reported about 700 earthquakes in the region since midnight, with the largest a magnitude 3.1 at Hagafell.
Land deformation continues in the area, consistent with magma still flowing beneath the earth's surface.
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The IMO stated that the probability of an eruption is still high, but if the volcano does erupt, it is no longer thought to be explosive, which is good news for international air travel.