Reykjavik, ICELAN - Met Office experts have said a volcanic eruption could last ‘for weeks’ as 30,000 earthquakes have been recorded since seismic activity began three weeks ago.

 

Authorities in Iceland have declared a state of emergency as the threat of an “imminent” volcanic eruption which “could obliterate the entire town of Grindavik” loomed.

 

Speaking about the potential differences between this eruption and 2010’s eruption which caused severe travel disruption He told Radio 4’s Today Programme: “This location would be different.

 

“First of all there isn’t an ice cap on top and it’s not a stratovolcano so wouldn’t be an explosive blast of volcanic ash into the atmosphere.

 

“This would be a lava-producing volcanic eruption along a series of fishers and that would be the main hazard. Blowing lava an eruption that persists for weeks possible and that means roads and other forms of infrastructure could be eventually in harm’s way.”

 

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said there was a “considerable” risk of an eruption due to the size of the underground magma intrusion and the rate at which it was moving. 

 

 

 

 

An Icelandic Met Office official said a volcanic eruption could last ‘for weeks’

 

Matthew James Roberts, the managing director of the service and research division said over 30,000 eruptions had been detected in the area since activity began three weeks ago.

 

Speaking about the potential differences between this eruption and 2010’s eruption which caused severe travel disruption He told Radio 4’s Today Programme: “This location would be different.

 

He said: “First of all there isn’t an ice cap on top and it’s not a stratovolcano so wouldn’t be an explosive blast of volcanic ash into the atmosphere.

 

“This would be a lava-producing volcanic eruption along a series of fishers and that would be the main hazard.

 

“Blowing lava an eruption that persists for weeks possible and that means roads and other forms of infrastructure could be eventually in harm’s way.”

 

 

 

 

Iceland is highly suceptible to natrual disasters as it lies on the Mid Atlantic Ridge – a divergent plate boundary where the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate are moving away from each other, leading to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

 

The Reykjanes region has in recent years seen several eruptions in unpopulated areas, but the current outbreak is believed to pose an immediate risk to the town, authorities said.

 

On Thursday, increased seismic activity prompted the closure of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, one of the country’s main tourist attractions.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/13 November 2023 — - -