In response to an intense series of earthquakes in the southwest, Iceland has declared a state of emergency, prompting the evacuation of residents from the coastal town of Grindavík. Nearly 800 earthquakes were recorded within a span of 14 hours, heightening concerns of a potential volcanic eruption linked to a magma tunnel forming in the region.
While the possibility of a eruption looms, authorities emphasize that the magma’s proximity to the surface is yet to be determined. The Civil Protection Agency urges residents to evacuate calmly, assuring that there is no imminent danger.
The iconic Blue Lagoon thermal pool has already closed due to ongoing seismic activity. Iceland, home to 32 active volcanoes, faces a unique geological challenge as it sits on a tectonic plate boundary, continually shaped by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.