Iceland declares state of emergency after series of powerful earthquakes

Iceland has declared a state of emergency following a series of powerful earthquakes in the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, raising concerns about a potential volcanic eruption.

The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management announced the state of emergency, citing the intense earthquake activity at Sundhnjukagigar, north of Grindavik.

The administration cautioned that earthquakes could escalate, possibly leading to an eruption. The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) indicated that an eruption might occur in the coming days.

The village of Grindavik, housing approximately 4,000 residents, lies about three kilometers southwest of the epicenter of the earthquake swarm. The village has evacuation plans in place in case of an eruption.

Two strong earthquakes, with the largest registering a magnitude of 5.2 north of Grindavik, were felt as far away as Reykjavik, 40 kilometers to the north. A road to Grindavik was closed due to damage from the tremors.

The IMO reported about 24,000 tremors on the peninsula since late October, with a concentrated swarm of nearly 800 earthquakes between midnight and 1400 GMT on Friday. The accumulation of magma at a depth of about five kilometers was noted, and the IMO suggested that if it moved toward the surface, it could lead to a volcanic eruption. The expected timeline for magma reaching the surface is several days.

Due to seismic activity, the Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist spot, closed as a precaution. The nearby Svartsengi geothermal plant, supplying electricity and water to 30,000 residents, has contingency plans in place.

Iceland, with 33 active volcanic systems, experiences high volcanic activity due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Reykjanes volcanic system had been dormant for eight centuries before the 2021 eruption. Volcanologists predict increased activity for several decades or centuries.

Iceland, known for its 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption that disrupted air travel, faces the potential impact of another eruption on its infrastructure and populated areas.

With inputs from agencies