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| Fagradalsfjall: Iceland declares emergency over volcano eruption concerns | Fagradalsfjall: Iceland declares emergency over volcano eruption concerns |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of tremors near Fagradalsfjall volcano (pictured in July) have raised concerns over an eruption | |
| Iceland has declared a state of emergency after a series of earthquakes raised fears of a volcanic eruption. | Iceland has declared a state of emergency after a series of earthquakes raised fears of a volcanic eruption. |
| Authorities have ordered thousands living in the southwestern town of Grindavík to evacuate as a precaution. | Authorities have ordered thousands living in the southwestern town of Grindavík to evacuate as a precaution. |
| The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) says it is concerned large amounts of magma - molten rock- is spreading underground and could surface there. | The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) says it is concerned large amounts of magma - molten rock- is spreading underground and could surface there. |
| Thousands of tremors have been recorded around the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano in recent weeks. | Thousands of tremors have been recorded around the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano in recent weeks. |
| They have been concentrated in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, which had remained dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years before a 2021 eruption. | They have been concentrated in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, which had remained dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years before a 2021 eruption. |
| On Thursday, the increased seismic activity in the area prompted the closure of the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark. More than 20,000 tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October. | On Thursday, the increased seismic activity in the area prompted the closure of the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark. More than 20,000 tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October. |
| Iceland's Civil Protection Agency said the decision to evacuate came after the IMO could not rule out a "magma tunnel that is currently forming could reach Grindavík". | Iceland's Civil Protection Agency said the decision to evacuate came after the IMO could not rule out a "magma tunnel that is currently forming could reach Grindavík". |
| In a statement on Friday, the agency said people must leave the town, but also emphasised it was not an "emergency evacuation" - calling on them to "remain calm, because we have a good amount of time to react". | In a statement on Friday, the agency said people must leave the town, but also emphasised it was not an "emergency evacuation" - calling on them to "remain calm, because we have a good amount of time to react". |
| "There is no immediate danger imminent, the evacuation is primarily preventive with the safety of all Grindavík residents as the principal aim," it added. | "There is no immediate danger imminent, the evacuation is primarily preventive with the safety of all Grindavík residents as the principal aim," it added. |
| All roads into the town of around 4,000 people are closed other than for emergencies, to ensure traffic can get in and out. | All roads into the town of around 4,000 people are closed other than for emergencies, to ensure traffic can get in and out. |
| In an statement on Friday, the IMO said "significant changes have occurred in the seismic activity", with tremors moving towards Grindavík over the course of the day. | In an statement on Friday, the IMO said "significant changes have occurred in the seismic activity", with tremors moving towards Grindavík over the course of the day. |
| It added that magma has likely extended beneath the town and it was "not possible to determine exactly" whether or where it could emerge. | It added that magma has likely extended beneath the town and it was "not possible to determine exactly" whether or where it could emerge. |
| "The amount of magma involved is significantly more than what was observed in the largest magma intrusions associated with the eruptions at Fagradalsfjall," the IMO said. | "The amount of magma involved is significantly more than what was observed in the largest magma intrusions associated with the eruptions at Fagradalsfjall," the IMO said. |
| Iceland is one of the most geographically active regions in the world, with around 30 active volcanic sites. | Iceland is one of the most geographically active regions in the world, with around 30 active volcanic sites. |
| Volcanic eruptions occur when magma, which is lighter than the solid rock around it, rises to the earth's surface from deep below it. | Volcanic eruptions occur when magma, which is lighter than the solid rock around it, rises to the earth's surface from deep below it. |
| In July, Litli-Hrutur, or Little Ram, erupted in the Fagradalsfjall area, drawing tourists to the site of the "world's newest baby volcano". | In July, Litli-Hrutur, or Little Ram, erupted in the Fagradalsfjall area, drawing tourists to the site of the "world's newest baby volcano". |
| The site was dormant for eight centuries until eruptions in 2021, 2022 and 2023. | The site was dormant for eight centuries until eruptions in 2021, 2022 and 2023. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Volcanoes | Volcanoes |
| Iceland | Iceland |