Iceland volcano update 2023: Earthquakes spark eruption fears near Grindavik | World News

Iceland is bracing for what scientists warn could be an imminent eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano on the island’s south west peninsula.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office warned on Tuesday that the volcano, located in the Reykjanes Peninsula volcanic region which has been dormant for 800 years, has a ‘significant likelihood’ of erupting following days of violent earthquakes.

Around 900 earthquakes struck the country on Monday. Benedikt Ofeigsson, of the Icelandic Meteorological Office, said magma couldnow just be a mere 500m beneath the town of Grindavik.

This assessment is based on the quantity of sulphur dioxide which has been recorded by recently-installed detection devices.

Despite the threat, authorities had temporarily allowed the Grindavik community to return to their homes to collect personal belongings which they had been forced to leave behind when they were told to evacuate.

The volcanic activity comes amid the backdrop of thousands of earthquakes over the past week with cracks forming beneath the surface of Grindavik, ripping roads in half, uprooting buildings and closing the nearby tourist spot, the Blue Lagoon.

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