Grindavik: A town in southwestern Iceland, faces a looming threat as 3,000 residents have been evacuated due to the potential eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano. According to volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson, this eruption could surpass the one 50 years ago that devastated Vestmannaeyjar, posing a significant risk to Grindavik.
Ragga Ágústdóttir, a resident near Grindavik, expressed concern, highlighting the looming possibility of the town’s destruction. She emphasized the grim scenario, indicating that the eruption might occur within or just north of the town, leaving no positive outcome.
The situation showed a slight respite, with 880 earthquakes below magnitude three recorded overnight, a decrease from the previous 1,485 quakes within a 48-hour span. The Icelandic Meteorological Office warned of a “considerable” eruption risk due to the size and movement of the underground magma intrusion.
Thorvaldur Thordarson, a volcanology professor at the University of Iceland, suggested that an eruption could be imminent, possibly within hours or a few days, emphasizing a significant rise in the likelihood of such an event on the state broadcaster RUV.