Iceland is in a state of emergency – fears of a Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption

the Iceland A state of emergency was declared after a series of earthquakes raised fears of an explosion volcano fagradalsfyal, about which it was recorded Thousands of vibrations In recent weeks.

Authorities ordered thousands of residents living in the southwestern city of Grindavik Remove them as a precaution. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) is concerned about the presence of large amounts of magma – molten rock – Spread underground It can appear there.

The tremors are centered on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, which had been dormant in volcanic activity for 800 years before the 2021 eruption, the BBC reported.

Thursday, Increased seismic activity In the area, it led to the closure of the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark. More than 20,000 earthquakes have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October.

The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency said the decision to evacuate came after the International Maritime Organization did not rule out the possibility that “the currently formed magma flow will reach Grindavik.”

The agency said in a statement on Friday that people should leave the city, but also stressed that this was not an “emergency evacuation” but merely an “emergency evacuation.” Preventive evacuationHe urged them to “remain calm, because we have enough time to respond.”

All roads leading to the town, which has a population of about 4,000 people, are closed and are only opened in emergency cases.

The International Maritime Organization said in a statement on Friday that “significant changes have occurred in seismic activity,” with tremors being felt in Grindavik during the day.

He added that magma likely extended under the city and “it was not possible to determine exactly” if or where it emerged.